What are Multiparticle Systems?

Contributed by:
Jonathan James
Center of mass, Motion of center of mass, Kinetic energy of a multiparticle system, Rotation, and translation
1. PHYS 172: Modern Mechanics Summer 2012
Lecture 15 – Multiparticle Systems Read 9.1 – 9.2
2. Quantizing two interacting atoms
Classical harmonic oscillator: Quantum harmonic oscillator:
U = (1/2)kss2 U = (1/2)kss2
E2  2 0  E0
E1  0  E0
 0  ks E0  12   0
m ground state
equidistant spacing
= 12
2
+ 12
2
= 12
2 w0 = /
max
h 
 = 1.05 エ 10 34 J s
Any value of A is allowed 2
And any E is possible.
Energy levels:
EN  N  0  12  0
3. Time to Throw Things
BALL
BATON
We need to understand Center of Mass
4. The Center of Mass
This is a weighted average
of the positions -- each position
appears in proportion
to its mass
5. The Center of Mass
= mr
1 1
 m2 r2
 m3 r3
 …
m1  m2  m3  …

3

1


2
6. Motion of the Center of Mass
1) Take one time derivative:
Same as:
(Good!)
7. Motion of the Center of Mass
1) Take a second time derivative:
This says that the motion of the center of mass looks just like what would
happen if all forces were applied to the total mass, as a point particle
located at the center of mass position!
8. Motion of the Center of Mass
This says that the motion of the
center of mass looks just like what
would happen if all forces were
applied to the total mass, as a point
particle located at the center of
mass position.
dPtotal
F net ,ext =M tota la cm =
dt
Center of Mass
9. Center of Mass Motion
Same Tension.
Which puck will move faster?

dPtot  
»M acm =Fnet,surr
dt
The centers of mass experience
the same acceleration!
HOWEVER: Hand #2 has to pull the string farther: W2 > W1.
Where does this energy go?
Rotational energy. The bottom spool is spinning.
10. Question for Discussion
11. Question for Discussion
12. Clicker Question
Through what distance did the force act on the Point Particle system?
Equal masses
A) 0.03 m B) 0.04 m C) 0.07 m D) 0.08 m E) 0.10 m
13. Clicker Question
Through what distance did the force act on the Real system?
Equal masses
A) 0.03 m B) 0.04 m C) 0.07 m D) 0.08 m E) 0.10 m
14. Clicker Question
Which is the energy equation for the Point Particle system?
Equal masses
A) ΔKtrans = F*(0.07 m)
B) ΔKtrans = F*(0.08 m)
C) ΔKtrans + ΔKvib + ΔUspring = F*(0.07 m)
D) ΔKtrans + ΔKvib + ΔUspring = F*(0.08 m)
15. Kinetic energy of a multiparticle system
Translational, motion of center of mass
Motion of parts relative to center of mass
K tot =K trans + K rel
K rel =K vib + K rot
Rotation about center of mass
Vibration
16. Translational kinetic energy
K tot =K trans + K rel
K rel =K vib + K rot
2
Translational kinetic energy: MvCM Ptot2
(motion of center of mass) K trans = = (nonrelativistic case)
2 2M
Clicker:
A system is initially at rest and consists of a man with a bottle sitting on ice
(ignore friction). The man then throws the bottle away as shown.
The velocity of the center of mass vcm will be:
A) Zero
B) Directed to right
C) Directed to left 
dPtot 
=Fnet,ext
dt
http://www.punchstock.com/asset_images/95652058
17. Translational kinetic energy
K tot =K trans + K rel
K rel =K vib + K rot
2
Translational kinetic energy: MvCM
(motion of center of mass) K trans = (nonrelativistic case)
2
Clicker:
A system is initially at rest and consists of a man with a bottle sitting on ice
(ignore friction). The man then throws a bottle away as shown.
The translational kinetic energy of the system will be:
A) Zero
B) > 0
C) < 0
http://www.punchstock.com/asset_images/95652058
18. Vibrational kinetic energy
Evib =K vib + U spring
1 1 2
Etot = Mvcm + K vib + ks + 2mc2
2
2 2
19. Rotational kinetic energy
- Net momentum = 0
- Energy is constant
Erot =K rot
Motion around of center of mass
20. Rotation and vibration

pi
N
pi2 N æ p2 + p2
ö
K rel =å =å çç tan,i rad,i
÷÷
i =1 2mi i =1 è 2mi ø
2 2
N æ ptan, i
ö N æ
prad,i
ö
K rel =å çç ÷÷ + å çç ÷÷
CM i =1 è 2mi ø i =1 è 2 mi ø
K rot º K vib º
Rotation and vibration and translation
1 2 1
Etot = Mvcm + K rot + K vib + ks2 + 2mc2
2 2
21. Gravitational potential energy of a multiparticle system
U g =mgy
1 1 + m2 gy2 + mgy
3 3 + ...
U g =(my
1 1 + m2 y2 + m3 y3 + ...)g
=Mycm
U g =Mgycm Gravitational energy
near the Earth’s
surface
M
ycm
22. Example: Rotation and translation
K tot =K trans + K rot
Assume all mass
is in the rim
1 2
Mvcm 1
2 2
Mvrel
2
1 2 1 2
EXAMPLE: K tot = Mvcm + Mvrel
2 2
Energy principle:
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
Mvcmi, + Mvrel ,i + Mgycmi, = Mvcm, f + Mvrel , f + Mgycm, f
2 2 2 2
vcm =vrel
=0 =0
2
MgDycm =Mvcm ,f