Write and solve the Euler equations to make the following integrals stationary. In solving the Euler equations, the integrals in Chapter 5, Section 1, may be useful.

1.x1x2x1+y'2dx

Short Answer

Expert verified

The Euler equation for the given integralx1x2x1+y'2dx is y-B2=4C2x-C2.

Step by step solution

01

Given Information.

Thegiven integral is x1x2x1+y'2dx.

02

Definition ofEuler equations

The solutions of the Euler-Lagrange equations, which are stationary points of the defined action functional in the calculus of variations and classical mechanics, are a set of second-order ordinary differential equations.

03

Write and solve Euler equation.

Let F=x1+y'2

First, write the Euler equation as ddxFy'-Fy=0.

Now calculate the required derivatives.

Fy'=xy'1+y'2Fy=0

Further, there is no need to calculate the derivative with respect to xbecause it is zero in the context of the Euler equation and therefore the whole expression is constant.

ddxxy'1+y'2=0xy'1+y'2=C

Solve for y'. Square both sides of the equation and multiply by denominator to obtain:

xy'2=C21+y'2xy'2-C2y'2=C2x-C2y'2=C2y'2=C2x-C2

Therefore,

y'=±C2x-C2

Integrate the expression to obtain B.

y=C2x-C2dxy=2Cx-C2+B

Let’s rewrite the expression in a simple way by moving Bto the left side and then square both the sides.

y-B=2Cx-C2y-B2=4C2x-C2which corresponds to a parabola.

Therefore, the Euler equation is y-B2=4C2x-C2.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Set up Lagrange’s equations in cylindrical coordinates for a particle of mass min a potential field V(r,θ,z). Hint: v=dsdt; writein cylindrical coordinates.

Change the independent variable to simplify the Euler equation, and then find a first integral of it.

3.x1x2xt2xt2+x2dy

(a) Consider the case of two dependent variables. Show that if F=F(x,y,z,y',z')and we want to find y(x)and z(x)to make I=x1x2Fdxstationary, then yand zshould each satisfy an Euler equation as in (5.1). Hint: Construct a formula for a varied path Yfor yas in Section 2 [Y=y+εη(x)with η(x)arbitrary] and construct a similar formula for z[let Z=z+εζ(x), where ζ(x)is another arbitrary function]. Carry through the details of differentiating with respect to ε, putting ε=0, and integrating by parts as in Section 2; then use the fact that both η(x)and ζ(x)are arbitrary to get (5.1).

(b) Consider the case of two independent variables. You want to find the function u(x,y)which makes stationary the double integral y1y2x1x2F(u,x,y,ux,uy)dxdy.Hint: Let the varied U(x,y)=u(x,y)+εη(x,y)where η(x,y)=0at x=x1,x=x2,y=y1,y=y2but is otherwise arbitrary. As in Section 2, differentiate with respect to ε, ε=0set ε=0, integrate by parts, and use the fact that ηis arbitrary. Show that the Euler equation is then xFux+yFuy-Fu=0.

(c) Consider the case in which Fdepends on x,y,y'and y''. Assuming zero values of the variation η(x)and its derivative at the endpoints x1and x2, show that then the Euler equation becomesd2dx2Fy''-ddxFy'+Fy=0.

In the brachistochrone problem, show that if the particle is given an initial velocityv00, the path of minimum time is still a cycloid.

Show that the actual path is not necessarily one of minimum time. Hint: In the diagram, A is a source of light; CD is a cross section of a reflecting surface, and B is a point to which a light ray is to be reflected. APB is to be the actual path and AP'B, AP"B represent varied paths. Then show that the varied paths:

(a) Are the same length as the actual path if CD is an ellipse with A and B as foci.

(b) Are longer than the actual path if CD is a line tangent at P to the ellipse in (a).

(c) Are shorter than the actual path if CD is an arc of a curve tangent to the ellipse at P and lying inside it. Note that in this case the time is a maximum!

(d) Are longer on one side and shorter on the other if CD crosses the ellipse at P but is tangent to it (that is, CD has a point of inflection at P).

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