Simple Harmonic Motion and Pendulums SP211: Physics I Fall 2018 Name

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Simple Harmonic Motion and Pendulums SP211: Physics I Fall 2018 Name Simple Harmonic Motion and Pendulums SP211: Physics I Fall 2018 Name: 1 Introduction When an object is oscillating, the displacement of that object varies sinusoidally with time. Simple Harmonic Motion describes this oscillatory motion where the displacement, velocity and acceleration are sinusoidal. The objects we are most interested in today are the physical pendulum, simple pendulum and a spring oscillator. We can model this oscillatory system using a spring. If we have a spring on the horizontal (one-dimensional motion), and using Hooke's Law (F = -kx) we can use the following expression: −k ∗ x = m ∗ a (1) In order to solve this expression, we will rewrite it. −k d2 x(t) = x(t) (2) m dt The only solution that can satisfy this equation is a sinusoidal function. For today, we will be using: xmaxcos(! ∗ t + φ) (3) r 2π k ! = = (4) T m In these equations, we have xmax is the Amplitude, so the maximum position in the positive or negative direction. ! is our angular frequency, and the portion ! ∗ t + φ is the phase of our wave. The φ is a phase constant, which describes the position of the wave in a cycle at t = 0 s. If we think about the conservation of Energy with a spring in motion, and we ignore heat and external forces, we can state that: 1 1 E = kx2 + mv2 (5) mechanical 2 2 If we set the initial equation when x = xmax (so v = 0) and the final when x = 0 (so v = vmax), we get the following expression: 1 1 kx2 = mv2 (6) 2 max 2 max 2 k Since we know ! = m , we can reduce this expression to: vmax = !xmax (7) 2 Procedure: Simple Harmonic Motion of a Spring 2.1 Find the Mass of Spring and Rubber Bob We won't need this information immediately, but start the lab by measuring the mass of the spring and the rubber bob. Mass of Spring = kg Mass of Rubber Bob = kg 1 2.2 Measure the Spring Constant Similar to Lab 4, we will start by measuring the spring constant k. For this part of the lab, attach the spring to the hanger, and measure the length of the spring without any mass attached to it. This is your x0, and record it in the appropriate column in the chart below for all masses. Data Table Mass Weight (m*g) Equilibrium Legnth Spring Length (x) x-x0 (m) (x0) Use the graph below to plot the Weight (y-axis) versus the x-x0 (x-axis). Draw a line of best fit, and then calculate the slope by making a 90◦ triangle. This slope is your Spring Constant. k = N/m 2 2.3 Measure the Period of the Oscillations Attach the rubber bob to the end of the spring. Pull the rubber bob enough so you can measure oscillations for 10 periods, but not so much that it moves randomly. The goal here is to only have the spring move in the y-direction. Measure 10 periods with your timer and then divide by 10 to get the period for 1 oscillation. Data Table Trial Time for 10 periods (seconds) Time for 1 period (seconds) 1 2 3 AVERAGE 2.4 Calculate the Period of the Oscillations To calculate the period of the spring, we will use the following equation: s 2π M + 1 m T = = 2π 3 spring (8) ! k Here, M is the mass of the rubber bob and mspring is the mass of the spring. Using your numbers from the previous sections, calculate the theoretical period of the spring: T = s Calculate the percent difference between the theoretical and experimental value. % Difference = % 3 Procedure: Simple Pendulum A simple pendulum is a mass at the end of a very light string. We can treat the mass as a single particle and ignore the mass of the string, which makes calculating the rotational inertia very easy. A simple pendulum is expected to swing with a period such that: s L T = 2π (9) g Where L is the distance between the center of the mass to the axis of rotation. In this section, tie a mass to a string and attach it the holder. Then one partner should hold the holder to remove the effect of extra vibrations from the pendulum. When you are taking data, only pull the string to one side by approximately 10◦ or less for optimal results. 3.1 Measure the Period of the Oscillations Fill out the table below by measuring the period of oscillations for 10 oscillations. Repeat this process 3 times. Data Table Trial Time for 10 periods (seconds) Time for 1 period (seconds) 1 2 3 AVERAGE 3 3.2 Calculations for Simple Pendulum Calculate the theoretical period of your pendulum. Length of Pendulum = m Mass = m T = s Calculate the percent difference between the theoretical and experimental value. % Difference = % 4 Rigid Pendulum A physical pendulum is expected to swing with a period such that: s I T = 2π (10) mgh where m is the mass of the pendulum, I is the rotational inertia of the pendulum (including the use of the parallel axis theorem as needed), and h is the distance from the pendulum's center of mass to the axis of rotation. For 2 this metal meter stick, rotating about a point 10 cm from the end of the stick) is Irot = 0.11 kg ∗ m . Measure the time it takes for 10 oscillations when the physical pendulum is rotating around the 10cm mark and calculate the expected period. mass of pendulum = kg Theoretical Period = s Data Table Trial Time for 10 periods (seconds) Time for 1 period (seconds) 1 2 3 AVERAGE % Difference = % 4 5 Problem Solving: The Simple Harmonic Motion of a Spring A 2.3 kg mass oscillates back and forth from the end of a spring of spring constant 120 N/m. At t = 0, the position of the block is x = 0.13 m and its velocity is vx = -3.4 m/s. 1. What is the Angular frequency of the block? 2. What is the mechanical energy of this block-spring system? 3. What is the amplitude of the oscillation? 4. What is the maximum speed of the block and where is this experienced over the motion? 5. What is the phase constant? (Choose a cosine function to describe the motion) 6. What is the position of the block as a function of time? 7. What is the maximum acceleration of the block and where is this experienced over the motion? 5 6 Problem Solving: The Simple Harmonic Motion of a Pendulums 1. Working from the general experession for the something that oscillates sinusoidally and the particular result for q k ! for the block-spring oscillator: x(t) = xmaxcos(!t + φ);! = m show that the mechanical energy is a constant 1 2 Emech = 2 kxmax for all time. 2. By carrying out a Newton's 2nd law for rotational analysis for a simple pendulum (a point mass on the end of a string), derive an expression for the period for small amplitudes. (We'll be making use of the small angle approximation sin(θ) ≈ θ which is valid when θ is small and expressed in radians.) 3. A physical pendulum is a rigid extended object that is mounted to a pivot. Its essential features are its rotational inertia I about the pivot, its mass M, and the distance between the pivot and the center of mass hcom. A. Derive the general expression for its period for small amplitudes. B. Calculate the period for a meter stick with the pivot mounted at one end. C. Calculate the period for a meter stick with the pivot mounted at the 20 cm mark. 6.
Recommended publications
  • Chapter 7. the Principle of Least Action
    Chapter 7. The Principle of Least Action 7.1 Force Methods vs. Energy Methods We have so far studied two distinct ways of analyzing physics problems: force methods, basically consisting of the application of Newton’s Laws, and energy methods, consisting of the application of the principle of conservation of energy (the conservations of linear and angular momenta can also be considered as part of this). Both have their advantages and disadvantages. More precisely, energy methods often involve scalar quantities (e.g., work, kinetic energy, and potential energy) and are thus easier to handle than forces, which are vectorial in nature. However, forces tell us more. The simple example of a particle subjected to the earth’s gravitation field will clearly illustrate this. We know that when a particle moves from position y0 to y in the earth’s gravitational field, the conservation of energy tells us that ΔK + ΔUgrav = 0 (7.1) 1 2 2 m v − v0 + mg(y − y0 ) = 0, 2 ( ) which implies that the final speed of the particle, of mass m , is 2 v = v0 + 2g(y0 − y). (7.2) Although we know the final speed v of the particle, given its initial speed v0 and the initial and final positions y0 and y , we do not know how its position and velocity (and its speed) evolve with time. On the other hand, if we apply Newton’s Second Law, then we write −mgey = maey dv (7.3) = m e . dt y This equation is easily manipulated to yield t v = dv ∫t0 t = − gdτ + v0 (7.4) ∫t0 = −g(t − t0 ) + v0 , - 138 - where v0 is the initial velocity (it appears in equation (7.4) as a constant of integration).
    [Show full text]
  • The Swinging Spring: Regular and Chaotic Motion
    References The Swinging Spring: Regular and Chaotic Motion Leah Ganis May 30th, 2013 Leah Ganis The Swinging Spring: Regular and Chaotic Motion References Outline of Talk I Introduction to Problem I The Basics: Hamiltonian, Equations of Motion, Fixed Points, Stability I Linear Modes I The Progressing Ellipse and Other Regular Motions I Chaotic Motion I References Leah Ganis The Swinging Spring: Regular and Chaotic Motion References Introduction The swinging spring, or elastic pendulum, is a simple mechanical system in which many different types of motion can occur. The system is comprised of a heavy mass, attached to an essentially massless spring which does not deform. The system moves under the force of gravity and in accordance with Hooke's Law. z y r φ x k m Leah Ganis The Swinging Spring: Regular and Chaotic Motion References The Basics We can write down the equations of motion by finding the Lagrangian of the system and using the Euler-Lagrange equations. The Lagrangian, L is given by L = T − V where T is the kinetic energy of the system and V is the potential energy. Leah Ganis The Swinging Spring: Regular and Chaotic Motion References The Basics In Cartesian coordinates, the kinetic energy is given by the following: 1 T = m(_x2 +y _ 2 +z _2) 2 and the potential is given by the sum of gravitational potential and the spring potential: 1 V = mgz + k(r − l )2 2 0 where m is the mass, g is the gravitational constant, k the spring constant, r the stretched length of the spring (px2 + y 2 + z2), and l0 the unstretched length of the spring.
    [Show full text]
  • LNCS 7215, Pp
    ACoreCalculusforProvenance Umut A. Acar1,AmalAhmed2,JamesCheney3,andRolyPerera1 1 Max Planck Institute for Software Systems umut,rolyp @mpi-sws.org { 2 Indiana} University [email protected] 3 University of Edinburgh [email protected] Abstract. Provenance is an increasing concern due to the revolution in sharing and processing scientific data on the Web and in other computer systems. It is proposed that many computer systems will need to become provenance-aware in order to provide satisfactory accountability, reproducibility,andtrustforscien- tific or other high-value data. To date, there is not a consensus concerning ap- propriate formal models or security properties for provenance. In previous work, we introduced a formal framework for provenance security and proposed formal definitions of properties called disclosure and obfuscation. This paper develops a core calculus for provenance in programming languages. Whereas previous models of provenance have focused on special-purpose languages such as workflows and database queries, we consider a higher-order, functional language with sums, products, and recursive types and functions. We explore the ramifications of using traces based on operational derivations for the purpose of comparing other forms of provenance. We design a rich class of prove- nance views over traces. Finally, we prove relationships among provenance views and develop some solutions to the disclosure and obfuscation problems. 1Introduction Provenance, or meta-information about the origin, history, or derivation of an object, is now recognized as a central challenge in establishing trust and providing security in computer systems, particularly on the Web. Essentially, provenance management in- volves instrumenting a system with detailed monitoring or logging of auditable records that help explain how results depend on inputs or other (sometimes untrustworthy) sources.
    [Show full text]
  • Dynamics of the Elastic Pendulum Qisong Xiao; Shenghao Xia ; Corey Zammit; Nirantha Balagopal; Zijun Li Agenda
    Dynamics of the Elastic Pendulum Qisong Xiao; Shenghao Xia ; Corey Zammit; Nirantha Balagopal; Zijun Li Agenda • Introduction to the elastic pendulum problem • Derivations of the equations of motion • Real-life examples of an elastic pendulum • Trivial cases & equilibrium states • MATLAB models The Elastic Problem (Simple Harmonic Motion) 푑2푥 푑2푥 푘 • 퐹 = 푚 = −푘푥 = − 푥 푛푒푡 푑푡2 푑푡2 푚 • Solve this differential equation to find 푥 푡 = 푐1 cos 휔푡 + 푐2 sin 휔푡 = 퐴푐표푠(휔푡 − 휑) • With velocity and acceleration 푣 푡 = −퐴휔 sin 휔푡 + 휑 푎 푡 = −퐴휔2cos(휔푡 + 휑) • Total energy of the system 퐸 = 퐾 푡 + 푈 푡 1 1 1 = 푚푣푡2 + 푘푥2 = 푘퐴2 2 2 2 The Pendulum Problem (with some assumptions) • With position vector of point mass 푥 = 푙 푠푖푛휃푖 − 푐표푠휃푗 , define 푟 such that 푥 = 푙푟 and 휃 = 푐표푠휃푖 + 푠푖푛휃푗 • Find the first and second derivatives of the position vector: 푑푥 푑휃 = 푙 휃 푑푡 푑푡 2 푑2푥 푑2휃 푑휃 = 푙 휃 − 푙 푟 푑푡2 푑푡2 푑푡 • From Newton’s Law, (neglecting frictional force) 푑2푥 푚 = 퐹 + 퐹 푑푡2 푔 푡 The Pendulum Problem (with some assumptions) Defining force of gravity as 퐹푔 = −푚푔푗 = 푚푔푐표푠휃푟 − 푚푔푠푖푛휃휃 and tension of the string as 퐹푡 = −푇푟 : 2 푑휃 −푚푙 = 푚푔푐표푠휃 − 푇 푑푡 푑2휃 푚푙 = −푚푔푠푖푛휃 푑푡2 Define 휔0 = 푔/푙 to find the solution: 푑2휃 푔 = − 푠푖푛휃 = −휔2푠푖푛휃 푑푡2 푙 0 Derivation of Equations of Motion • m = pendulum mass • mspring = spring mass • l = unstreatched spring length • k = spring constant • g = acceleration due to gravity • Ft = pre-tension of spring 푚푔−퐹 • r = static spring stretch, 푟 = 푡 s 푠 푘 • rd = dynamic spring stretch • r = total spring stretch 푟푠 + 푟푑 Derivation of Equations of Motion
    [Show full text]
  • Sabermetrics: the Past, the Present, and the Future
    Sabermetrics: The Past, the Present, and the Future Jim Albert February 12, 2010 Abstract This article provides an overview of sabermetrics, the science of learn- ing about baseball through objective evidence. Statistics and baseball have always had a strong kinship, as many famous players are known by their famous statistical accomplishments such as Joe Dimaggio’s 56-game hitting streak and Ted Williams’ .406 batting average in the 1941 baseball season. We give an overview of how one measures performance in batting, pitching, and fielding. In baseball, the traditional measures are batting av- erage, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, but modern measures such as OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) are better in predicting the number of runs a team will score in a game. Pitching is a harder aspect of performance to measure, since traditional measures such as winning percentage and earned run average are confounded by the abilities of the pitcher teammates. Modern measures of pitching such as DIPS (defense independent pitching statistics) are helpful in isolating the contributions of a pitcher that do not involve his teammates. It is also challenging to measure the quality of a player’s fielding ability, since the standard measure of fielding, the fielding percentage, is not helpful in understanding the range of a player in moving towards a batted ball. New measures of fielding have been developed that are useful in measuring a player’s fielding range. Major League Baseball is measuring the game in new ways, and sabermetrics is using this new data to find better mea- sures of player performance.
    [Show full text]
  • Measuring Earth's Gravitational Constant with a Pendulum
    Measuring Earth’s Gravitational Constant with a Pendulum Philippe Lewalle, Tony Dimino PHY 141 Lab TA, Fall 2014, Prof. Frank Wolfs University of Rochester November 30, 2014 Abstract In this lab we aim to calculate Earth’s gravitational constant by measuring the period of a pendulum. We obtain a value of 9.79 ± 0.02m/s2. This measurement agrees with the accepted value of g = 9.81m/s2 to within the precision limits of our procedure. Limitations of the techniques and assumptions used to calculate these values are discussed. The pedagogical context of this example report for PHY 141 is also discussed in the final remarks. 1 Theory The gravitational acceleration g near the surface of the Earth is known to be approximately constant, disregarding small effects due to geological variations and altitude shifts. We aim to measure the value of that acceleration in our lab, by observing the motion of a pendulum, whose motion depends both on g and the length L of the pendulum. It is a well known result that a pendulum consisting of a point mass and attached to a massless rod of length L obeys the relationship shown in eq. (1), d2θ g = − sin θ, (1) dt2 L where θ is the angle from the vertical, as showng in Fig. 1. For small displacements (ie small θ), we make a small angle approximation such that sin θ ≈ θ, which yields eq. (2). d2θ g = − θ (2) dt2 L Eq. (2) admits sinusoidal solutions with an angular frequency ω. We relate this to the period T of oscillation, to obtain an expression for g in terms of the period and length of the pendulum, shown in eq.
    [Show full text]
  • Pioneers in Optics: Christiaan Huygens
    Downloaded from Microscopy Pioneers https://www.cambridge.org/core Pioneers in Optics: Christiaan Huygens Eric Clark From the website Molecular Expressions created by the late Michael Davidson and now maintained by Eric Clark, National Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306 . IP address: [email protected] 170.106.33.22 Christiaan Huygens reliability and accuracy. The first watch using this principle (1629–1695) was finished in 1675, whereupon it was promptly presented , on Christiaan Huygens was a to his sponsor, King Louis XIV. 29 Sep 2021 at 16:11:10 brilliant Dutch mathematician, In 1681, Huygens returned to Holland where he began physicist, and astronomer who lived to construct optical lenses with extremely large focal lengths, during the seventeenth century, a which were eventually presented to the Royal Society of period sometimes referred to as the London, where they remain today. Continuing along this line Scientific Revolution. Huygens, a of work, Huygens perfected his skills in lens grinding and highly gifted theoretical and experi- subsequently invented the achromatic eyepiece that bears his , subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at mental scientist, is best known name and is still in widespread use today. for his work on the theories of Huygens left Holland in 1689, and ventured to London centrifugal force, the wave theory of where he became acquainted with Sir Isaac Newton and began light, and the pendulum clock. to study Newton’s theories on classical physics. Although it At an early age, Huygens began seems Huygens was duly impressed with Newton’s work, he work in advanced mathematics was still very skeptical about any theory that did not explain by attempting to disprove several theories established by gravitation by mechanical means.
    [Show full text]
  • A Phenomenology of Galileo's Experiments with Pendulums
    BJHS, Page 1 of 35. f British Society for the History of Science 2009 doi:10.1017/S0007087409990033 A phenomenology of Galileo’s experiments with pendulums PAOLO PALMIERI* Abstract. The paper reports new findings about Galileo’s experiments with pendulums and discusses their significance in the context of Galileo’s writings. The methodology is based on a phenomenological approach to Galileo’s experiments, supported by computer modelling and close analysis of extant textual evidence. This methodology has allowed the author to shed light on some puzzles that Galileo’s experiments have created for scholars. The pendulum was crucial throughout Galileo’s career. Its properties, with which he was fascinated from very early in his career, especially concern time. A 1602 letter is the earliest surviving document in which Galileo discusses the hypothesis of pendulum isochronism.1 In this letter Galileo claims that all pendulums are isochronous, and that he has long been trying to demonstrate isochronism mechanically, but that so far he has been unable to succeed. From 1602 onwards Galileo referred to pendulum isochronism as an admirable property but failed to demonstrate it. The pendulum is the most open-ended of Galileo’s artefacts. After working on my reconstructed pendulums for some time, I became convinced that the pendulum had the potential to allow Galileo to break new ground. But I also realized that its elusive nature sometimes threatened to undermine the progress Galileo was making on other fronts. It is this ambivalent nature that, I thought, might prove invaluable in trying to understand crucial aspects of Galileo’s innovative methodology.
    [Show full text]
  • Ch 11 Vibrations and Waves Simple Harmonic Motion Simple Harmonic Motion
    Ch 11 Vibrations and Waves Simple Harmonic Motion Simple Harmonic Motion A vibration (oscillation) back & forth taking the same amount of time for each cycle is periodic. Each vibration has an equilibrium position from which it is somehow disturbed by a given energy source. The disturbance produces a displacement from equilibrium. This is followed by a restoring force. Vibrations transfer energy. Recall Hooke’s Law The restoring force of a spring is proportional to the displacement, x. F = -kx. K is the proportionality constant and we choose the equilibrium position of x = 0. The minus sign reminds us the restoring force is always opposite the displacement, x. F is not constant but varies with position. Acceleration of the mass is not constant therefore. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeYRkW8V7Vg&feature=pl ayer_embedded Key Terms Displacement- distance from equilibrium Amplitude- maximum displacement Cycle- one complete to and fro motion Period (T)- Time for one complete cycle (s) Frequency (f)- number of cycles per second (Hz) * period and frequency are inversely related: T = 1/f f = 1/T Energy in SHOs (Simple Harmonic Oscillators) In stretching or compressing a spring, work is required and potential energy is stored. Elastic PE is given by: PE = ½ kx2 Total mechanical energy E of the mass-spring system = sum of KE + PE E = ½ mv2 + ½ kx2 Here v is velocity of the mass at x position from equilibrium. E remains constant w/o friction. Energy Transformations As a mass oscillates on a spring, the energy changes from PE to KE while the total E remains constant.
    [Show full text]
  • Sarlette Et Al
    COMPARISON OF THE HUYGENS MISSION AND THE SM2 TEST FLIGHT FOR HUYGENS ATTITUDE RECONSTRUCTION(*) A. Sarlette(1), M. Pérez-Ayúcar, O. Witasse, J.-P. Lebreton Planetary Missions Division, Research and Scientific Support Department, ESTEC-ESA, Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] (1) Stagiaire from February 1 to April 29; student at Liège University, Belgium. Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT 1. The SM2 probe characteristics The Huygens probe is the ESA’s main contribution to In agreement with its main purpose – performing a the Cassini/Huygens mission, carried out jointly by full system check of the Huygens descent sequence – NASA, ESA and ASI. It was designed to descend into the SM2 probe was a full scale model of the Huygens the atmosphere of Titan on January 14, 2005, probe, having the same inner and outer structure providing surface images and scientific data to study (except that the deploying booms of the HASI the ground and the atmosphere of Saturn’s largest instrument were not mounted on SM2), the same mass moon. and a similar balance. A complete description of the Huygens flight model system can be found in [1]. In the framework of the reconstruction of the probe’s motions during the descent based on the engineering All Descent Control SubSystem items (parachute data, additional information was needed to investigate system, mechanisms, pyro and command devices) were the attitude and an anomaly in the spin direction. provided according to expected flight standard; as the test flight was successful, only few differences actually Two years before the launch of the Cassini/Huygens exist at this level with respect to the Huygens probe.
    [Show full text]
  • Girls' Elite 2 0 2 0 - 2 1 S E a S O N by the Numbers
    GIRLS' ELITE 2 0 2 0 - 2 1 S E A S O N BY THE NUMBERS COMPARING NORMAL SEASON TO 2020-21 NORMAL 2020-21 SEASON SEASON SEASON LENGTH SEASON LENGTH 6.5 Months; Dec - Jun 6.5 Months, Split Season The 2020-21 Season will be split into two segments running from mid-September through mid-February, taking a break for the IHSA season, and then returning May through mid- June. The season length is virtually the exact same amount of time as previous years. TRAINING PROGRAM TRAINING PROGRAM 25 Weeks; 157 Hours 25 Weeks; 156 Hours The training hours for the 2020-21 season are nearly exact to last season's plan. The training hours do not include 16 additional in-house scrimmage hours on the weekends Sep-Dec. Courtney DeBolt-Slinko returns as our Technical Director. 4 new courts this season. STRENGTH PROGRAM STRENGTH PROGRAM 3 Days/Week; 72 Hours 3 Days/Week; 76 Hours Similar to the Training Time, the 2020-21 schedule will actually allow for a 4 additional hours at Oak Strength in our Sparta Science Strength & Conditioning program. These hours are in addition to the volleyball-specific Training Time. Oak Strength is expanding by 8,800 sq. ft. RECRUITING SUPPORT RECRUITING SUPPORT Full Season Enhanced Full Season In response to the recruiting challenges created by the pandemic, we are ADDING livestreaming/recording of scrimmages and scheduled in-person visits from Lauren, Mikaela or Peter. This is in addition to our normal support services throughout the season. TOURNAMENT DATES TOURNAMENT DATES 24-28 Dates; 10-12 Events TBD Dates; TBD Events We are preparing for 15 Dates/6 Events Dec-Feb.
    [Show full text]
  • Euler Equation and Geodesics R
    Euler Equation and Geodesics R. Herman February 2, 2018 Introduction Newton formulated the laws of motion in his 1687 volumes, col- lectively called the Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, or simply the Principia. However, Newton’s development was geometrical and is not how we see classical dynamics presented when we first learn mechanics. The laws of mechanics are what are now considered analytical mechanics, in which classical dynamics is presented in a more elegant way. It is based upon variational principles, whose foundations began with the work of Eu- ler and Lagrange and have been refined by other now-famous figures in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Euler coined the term the calculus of variations in 1756, though it is also called variational calculus. The goal is to find minima or maxima of func- tions of the form f : M ! R, where M can be a set of numbers, functions, paths, curves, surfaces, etc. Interest in extrema problems in classical mechan- ics began near the end of the seventeenth century with Newton and Leibniz. In the Principia, Newton was interested in the least resistance of a surface of revolution as it moves through a fluid. Seeking extrema at the time was not new, as the Egyptians knew that the shortest path between two points is a straight line and that a circle encloses the largest area for a given perimeter. Heron, an Alexandrian scholar, deter- mined that light travels along the shortest path. This problem was later taken up by Willibrord Snellius (1580–1626) after whom Snell’s law of refraction is named.
    [Show full text]