- #1
kafn8
Homework Statement
A sphere of mass m2 and radius R rolls down a perfectly rough wedge of mass m1. The wedge sits on a frictionless surface so as the sphere rolls down, the wedge moves in opposite direction. Obtain the Lagrangian.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Here's my diagram of the situation. I used a cartesian system with the origin at the bottom corner of the wedge. Also I treated the sphere as the point in contact with the wedge, and I treat the wedge as a point at its top corner.
I imagined that as the sphere rolls down the incline, its y-value changes but the x-value stays the same as the wedge slips to the left (similar to someone slipping on a banana peel, or running on a free-floating log). Also, in an attempt to have x and y as my generalized coordinates, I expressed the distance [itex] s [/itex] the sphere makes along the incline in terms of x and y (see pic)
My Lagrangian worked out to be the following:
The problem I have with this is that if I were to continue finding equations of motion from this Lagrangian, I'd clearly have no equations to express the acceleration in the x-direction. I'm left with only acceleration in the y-direction but the wedge is clearly moving away from the origin so there should be x-acceleration there.
Should I be using a different point of origin? Or maybe a different coordinate system altogether??