Question

Masses m and 2m are joined by a light inextensible string which runs without slipping over a uniform circular pulley of mass 2m and radius a. Using the angular position of the pulley as generalized coordinate, write down the Lagrangian function and Lagrange's equation. Find the acceleration of the masses.​

Answer 1

Answer: the acceleration of the masses is given by = 0, which means the angular acceleration of the pulley is zero. This implies that the masses m and 2m move with constant velocity, they are in equilibrium.