Lagrangian Formulation Practice Set

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Sk Jahiruddin

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Assistant Professor
Sister Nibedita Govt. College, Kolkata
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Distributed free of cost on behalf of The Jahir Educational Trust

1 Set 1: Questions
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1. The principle of least action states that the actual path taken by a
system between two configurations makes the action S = tt12 L dt
R
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A. a maximum
B. a minimum
C. stationary (exremum)
D. equal to zero

2. Given a particle of mass m moving in one dimension under potential

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V (x), the Lagrangian L is defined as

A. L = T +V
B. L = T −V
C. L = V − T
D. L = 21 mẋ2 +V (x)

3. Which of the following is a valid generalized coordinate for a double

pendulum consisting of two masses suspended in series?

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©Sk Jahiruddin, 2025 Lagrangian Formulation

A. Cartesian coordinates (x1 , y1 , x2 , y2 )

B. Lengths of rods l1 , l2 (constants)
C. Angles θ1 and θ2 measured from the vertical

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D. Tensions in the rods T1 , T2
 
4. In Lagrange’s equation of motion dtd ∂∂q̇Li − ∂∂qLi = 0, the term ∂L
∂ q̇i is
known as the generalized

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A. coordinate
B. force
C. momentum
D. energy
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5. Consider a free particle of mass m moving in two-dimensional space.
The Lagrangian L = 21 m(ẋ2 + ẏ2 ). Which coordinate is cyclic?

A. x only
B. y only
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C. Both x and y
D. Neither x nor y

6. For a simple pendulum of length ℓ and mass m, using angle θ from

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the vertical as generalized coordinate, the Lagrangian is

A. L = 21 mℓ2 θ̇ 2 − mgℓ sin θ

B. L = 12 mℓ2 θ̇ 2 + mgℓ cos θ
C. L = 12 mℓ2 θ̇ 2 − mgℓ cos θ
D. L = 21 mℓ2 θ̇ 2 + mgℓ sin θ
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7. Which condition on the Lagrangian L(q, q̇,t) indicates that the energy
E = q̇ ∂ L/∂ q̇ − L is conserved?

A. L has no explicit dependence on q

B. L has no explicit dependence on q̇
C. L has no explicit dependence on t
D. L is quadratic in q̇

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8. A coordinate q j is called cyclic (or ignorable) if

A. ∂ L/∂ q̇ j = 0
B. ∂ L/∂ q j = 0

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C. dtd (∂ L/∂ q̇ j ) = 0
D. ∂ 2 L/∂ q2j = 0

9. For a particle of mass m in a central potential V (r), expressed in plane

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polar coordinates (r, φ ), the generalized momentum associated with φ
is

A. pr = mṙ
B. pφ = mr2 φ̇
C. pφ = mrṙ
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D. pr = mr2 φ̇

10. In the derivation of Lagrange’s equations, the virtual work δW

vanishes when considering generalized coordinates because
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A. Constraints are holonomic and ideal
B. Kinetic energy is time-independent
C. Potential energy is velocity-dependent
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D. Forces are non-conservative

11. For a mass m attached to a spring of stiffness k on a frictionless hor-

izontal table, using x as the generalized coordinate, the Euler–Lagrange
equation yields
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A. mẍ + kx = 0
B. mẍ − kx = 0
C. mẍ + k = 0
D. mẍ − k = 0

12. A bead slides without friction on a circular hoop of radius R rotating

with constant angular speed ω about a vertical diameter. Using the an-
gle θ from the vertical as generalized coordinate, the effective potential
includes a term proportional to

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A. ω 2 R2 sin2 θ
B. ω 2 R2 cos2 θ
C. ωR sin θ

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D. ωR cos θ

13. For a Lagrangian L(q, q̇) which is homogeneous of degree two in q̇,
the energy function E(q, q̇) satisfies

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A. E = L
B. E = 2L
C. E = −L
D. E = 12 L
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14. Consider a particle constrained to move on a frictionless inclined
plane (angle α to horizontal). Choosing coordinate s along the plane,
the Lagrangian is

A. L = 21 mṡ2 + mgs sin α

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B. L = 12 mṡ2 − mgs cos α
C. L = 21 mṡ2 − mgs sin α
D. L = 21 mṡ2 + mgs cos α
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15. If q1 is cyclic in the Lagrangian, then the conjugate momentum p1

is

A. Always zero
B. Time-dependent
C. A conserved constant
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D. Proportional to the Hamiltonian

16. The action integral S is said to be stationary under small variations

δ q(t) if

A. δ S is negative for any variation

B. δ S = 0 for first-order variations around the true path
C. δ S > 0 for all variations
D. δ S does not depend on L

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17. In a system of two degrees of freedom (q1 , q2 ) with Lagrangian

L(q1 , q2 , q̇1 , q̇2 ), if ∂ L/∂ q2 = 0, then q2 is cyclic and the corresponding
equation of motion implies

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∂L
A. p2 = ∂ q̇2 is time-dependent
B. ṗ2 = − ∂∂qL = 0
2
C. q̈2 + q2 = 0

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D. q2 = 0

18. For a charged particle of charge e in an electromagnetic field with

scalar potential Φ(r,t) and vector potential A(r,t), the Lagrangian is

A. L = 21 mṙ2 + eΦ − e A · ṙ
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B. L = 12 mṙ2 − eΦ + e A · ṙ
C. L = 12 mṙ2 − eΦ − e A · ṙ
D. L = 21 mṙ2 + eΦ + e A · ṙ

19. Which of the following statements about generalized momentum

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pi = ∂ L/∂ q̇i is true?

A. It always equals mq̇i

B. It may depend on coordinates q as well as velocities q̇
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C. It is identical to the canonical momentum only in Cartesian coordi-

nates
D. It is always a conserved quantity

20. A particle of mass m constrained to move on a circle of radius R

(no external potential) has Lagrangian L = 21 mR2 φ̇ 2 . The equation of
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motion yields

A. φ̈ + φ = 0
B. φ̈ = 0
C. φ̈ − φ = 0
D. φ̈ + ω 2 φ = 0

21. A particle of mass m moves in a one-dimensional potential V (x) =

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1 2
2 kx . Using x as the generalized coordinate, the Lagrangian is

L = 12 mẋ2 − 12 kx2

If one adds a constant C to the potential (i.e., V ′ (x) = 12 kx2 +C), which

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of the following statements is true?

A. The equations of motion change, because L′ now has an extra term.

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B. The conjugate momentum changes, because ∂ L′ /∂ ẋ picks up a con-
stant.
C. The action changes by an additive constant but the equations of mo-
tion remain the same.
D. The energy E = ẋ ∂ L/∂ ẋ − L becomes undefined.
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22. Consider a bead of mass m sliding (no friction) on a vertical wire
shaped as z = a x2 . Choose x as the generalized coordinate. The kinetic
energy is T = 21 m ẋ2 + ż2 with ż = 2a x ẋ. The potential energy is V =

mg z. Writing L = T −V , which of the following differential equations

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is the Euler–Lagrange equation for x?

1 + 4a2 x2 ẍ + 4ma2 x ẋ2 + 2mga x = 0

A. m
1 + 4a2 x2 ẍ − 4ma2 x ẋ2 + 2mga x = 0


B. m
1 + 4a2 x2 ẍ + 4ma2 x ẋ2 − 2mga x = 0


C. m
kJ

1 + 4a2 x2 ẍ − 4ma2 x ẋ2 − 2mga x = 0

D. m

23. A simple pendulum of length ℓ and bob mass m has its pivot moving
upward with constant speed v. Using θ (angle from the vertical) as the
generalized coordinate, the kinetic energy is
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T = 12 m ℓ2 θ̇ 2 + v2 + 2ℓvθ̇ cos θ

and V = mgℓ(1 − cos θ ). Which term in L = T − V indicates that θ is

not cyclic?

A. 21 m ℓ2 θ̇ 2
B. mℓvθ̇ cos θ
C. 12 m v2
D. −mgℓ cos θ

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24. For a particle of mass m moving in three dimensions under no ex-

ternal forces, the Lagrangian in spherical coordinates (r, θ , φ ) is

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L = 12 m ṙ2 + r2 θ̇ 2 + r2 sin2 θ φ̇ 2 .

Which of the following is a cyclic coordinate?

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A. r, because L depends on ṙ but not on r.
B. θ , because L does not depend on θ .
C. φ , because L does not depend explicitly on φ .
D. None of the coordinates is cyclic.
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25. A particle of mass m is subject to a velocity-dependent potential
U(ẋ) = α ẋ3 , where α is a constant. The Lagrangian is L = 12 mẋ2 −
U(ẋ). What is the generalized momentum px ?

A. px = mẋ − 3α ẋ2
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B. px = mẋ + 3α ẋ2
C. px = mẋ − α ẋ3
D. px = mẋ + α ẋ3
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26. Consider two masses m connected by a spring (constant k) on a

frictionless horizontal surface. Let x1 and x2 be their displacements
from equilibrium. The Lagrangian is

L = 21 mẋ12 + 12 mẋ22 − 12 k(x2 − x1 )2 .

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Which change of generalized coordinates diagonalizes the kinetic en-

ergy while decoupling the potential into two independent quadratic forms?

A. q = x1 − x2 and Q = x1 + x2
B. q = x1 + x2 and Q = x1 − x2 (same as A, but order reversed)
C. q = x1 and Q = x2
D. q = x1 − x2 and Q = x1 − x2 (identical coordinates)

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©Sk Jahiruddin, 2025 Lagrangian Formulation

27. A particle of mass m moves under a central potential V (r). In

spherical coordinates, the Lagrangian is

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L = 21 m ṙ2 + r2 θ̇ 2 + r2 sin2 θ φ̇ 2 −V (r).

If the motion is restricted to the equatorial plane (θ = π2 ), which term in

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the Lagrangian gives rise to conservation of angular momentum about
the z-axis?

A. 12 m ṙ2
B. 12 m r2 θ̇ 2
C. 12 m r2 sin2 θ φ̇ 2
D. −V (r)
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28. A mass m moves on a horizontal table under gravity but is con-
strained to move along a curve given by y = f (x). Treating x as the
generalized coordinate, the kinetic energy is
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T = 12 m ẋ2 + ( f ′ (x)ẋ)2 ,


and V = constant.
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Which expression correctly gives the conjugate momentum px ?

A. px = mẋ
B. px = m 1 + ( f ′ (x))2 ẋ
 

C. px = m f ′ (x) ẋ
D. px = 12 m 1 + ( f ′ (x))2 ẋ


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29. A particle of mass m moves in a two-dimensional plane under a

constant gravitational field g in the −y direction. Using x and y as gen-
eralized coordinates, the Lagrangian is L = 12 m(ẋ2 + ẏ2 )−mgy. Suppose
one switches to rotated coordinates (u, v) defined by

u = x cos α + y sin α, v = −x sin α + y cos α

Which of the following statements is true about the form of the La-
grangian in (u, v)?

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A. The kinetic energy remains 12 m(u̇2 + v̇2 ), and the potential becomes
−mg(u sin α + v cos α).
B. The kinetic energy gains cross terms u̇ v̇, and the potential remains
−mg v.

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C. The kinetic energy remains diagonal 12 m(u̇2 + v̇2 ), and the potential
becomes −mg(u cos α − v sin α).
D. The kinetic energy becomes 21 m(u̇2 + v̇2 ), and the potential becomes

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−mg(−u sin α + v cos α).

30. Consider a system described by one generalized coordinate q with

Lagrangian iru
L(q, q̇) = 21 m q̇2 − 12 k q2 + c q q̇,

where c is a constant. Which of the following correctly gives the equa-

tion of motion?
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A. mq̈ + c q̇ + k q = 0
B. mq̈ − c q̇ + k q = 0
C. mq̈ + k q = 0 (the c q q̇ term does not contribute)
D. mq̈ + c q + k q = 0
kJ

2 Set 1: Answer Keys

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1. C 2. B 3. C 4. C 5. C 6. C 7. C 8.
B 9. B 10. A 11. A 12. A 13. B 14. C
15. C 16. B 17. B 18. B 19. B 20. B

21. C 22. A 23. B 24. C 25. A 26. B 27.

C 28. B 29. A 30. B

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3 Set 2: Questions

1. A cylinder of mass M and radius R is rolling down without sleep-

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ing on an inclined plane of magnitude θ . The number of generalized
coordinates required to describe the motion of the system is
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 4 (d) 6

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2. The Lagrangian of a free particle in spherical polar coordinate is
given by
1
L = m ṙ2 + r2 θ̇ 2 + r2 sin2 θ φ̇ 2


2
The quantity that is conserved is

(a)
∂L
(b)
∂L
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(c)
∂L
(d)
∂L
+ ṙθ̇
∂ ṙ ∂ θ̇ ∂ φ̇ ∂ φ̇

3. The Lagrangian of a system is given by

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1 1
L = q̇2 + qq̇ − q2
2 2
It describes the motion of
(a) Harmonic oscillator
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(b) Dammped Harmonic Oscillator

(c) Anharmonic Oscillator
(d) System with unbound motion

4. A particle of mass m is constrained to move in a vertical plane along

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a trajectory given by x = A cos θ , y = A sin θ , where A is a constant.

The lagrangian of the particle is
(a) 21 mA2 θ̇ 2 − mgA cos θ (b) 12 mA2 θ̇ 2 − mgA sin θ
(c) 12 mA2 θ̇ 2 + mgA cos θ (d) 12 mA2 θ̇ 2

5. A particle of mass m is constrained to move in a vertical plane along

a trajectory given by x = A cos θ , y = A sin θ , where A is a constant.

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The equation of motion of the particle is

(a) θ̈ + Ag cos θ = 0 (b) θ̈ + Ag sin θ = 0
(c) θ̈ = 0 (d) θ̈ − Ag sin θ = 0

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6. A particle of mass m slides under gravity without friction along the
parabolic path y = ax2 axis, a is a constant.

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The Lagrangian for this particle is given by
1
(a) L = mẋ2 − mgax2
2
1
(b) L = m 1 + 4a2 x2 ẋ2 − mgax2


2
1
(c) L = mẋ2 + mgax2
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2
1
(d) L = m 1 + 4a2 x2 ẋ2 + mgax2


2

7. A particle of mass m slides under gravity without friction along the

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parabolic path y = ax2 axis, a is a constant.
The Lagrange’s equation of motion of the particle is
(a) ẍ = 2gax
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(b) m 1 + 4a2 x2 ẍ = −2mgax − 4ma2 xẋ2

(c) m 1 + 4a2 x2 ẍ = 2mgax + 4ma2 xẋ2

(d) ẍ = −2gax

8. The Lagrangian of a system with one degree of freedom q is given

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by L = α q̇2 + β q2 , where α and β are non-zero constants. If pq denotes

the canonical momnentum conjugate to q then which of the following
statements is correct?
(a) pq = 2β q and pq is a conserved quantity.
(b) pq = 2β q and pq is NOT a conserved quantity.
(c) pq = 2αq and pq is a conserved quantity.
(d) pq = 2αq and pq is NOT a conserved quantity.

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9. A bead of mass m can slide without friction along a massless road

kept at 450 with the vertical as shown in the figure below. The rod is
rotating about the vertical axis with a constant angular speed ω. At any

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instant r is the distance of the bead from the origin. The momentum
conjugate to r is

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iru
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√
(a) mṙ (b) √1 mṙ (c) 21 mṙ (d) 2mṙ
2

10. The lagrangian of a system is given by

kJ

1
L = ml 2 [θ̇ 2 + sin2 θ φ̇ 2 ] − mgl cos θ
2
where m,l and g are constants.
Which of the following is conserved?
φ̇ φ̇
(a) φ̇ sin2 θ (b) φ̇ sin θ (c) (d)
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sin θ sin2 θ

11. A double pendulum consists of two point masses m attached by

strings of length l as shown in the figure: The Kinetic energy of the
system is

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in
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iru
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2 2
(a) 21 ml 2 [θ˙1 + θ˙2 ]
2 2
(b) 12 ml 2 [2θ˙1 + θ˙2 + 2θ˙1 θ˙2 cos(θ1 − θ2 )]
2 2
(c) 21 ml 2 [θ˙1 + 2θ˙2 + 2θ˙1 θ˙2 cos(θ1 − θ2 )]
2 2
(d) 21 ml 2 [2θ˙1 + θ˙2 + 2θ˙1 θ˙2 cos(θ1 + θ2 )]
kJ

12. A particle of mass m moves inside a bowl. If the surface of the

bowl is given by the equation Z = 21 a(x2 + y2 ), where a is a constant,
the Lagrangian of the particle is
(a) 21 m(ṙ2 + r2 φ̇ 2 − gar2 )
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(b) 12 m[(1 + a2 r2 )ṙ2 + r2 φ̇ 2 ]

(c) 12 m(ṙ2 + r2 θ̇ 2 + r2 sin2 θ φ̇ 2 − gar2 )
(d) 12 m[(1 + a2 r2 )ṙ2 + r2 φ̇ 2 − gar2 ]

13. The Lagrangian of a particle of mass m moving in one dimension

is given by

1
L = mẋ2 − bx
2

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where b is a positive constant. The coordinate of the particle x(t) at time

t is given by: (in following c1 and c2 are constants)
b
(a) − t 2 + c1t + c2 (b) c1t + c2
2m

in
bt bt
(c) c1 cos( ) + c2 sin( )
m m
bt bt
(d) c1 cosh( ) + c2 sinh( )
m m

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2
14. A particle moves in a potential V = x2 + y2 + z2 . Which compo-
nent(s) of angular momentum is/are constant of motion?
(a) none (b) Lx , Ly & Lz
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15. The equation of motion of a system described by the time-dependent

Lagrangian
 
γt 1 2
L=e mẋ −V (x)
2
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(a) mẍ + γmẋ + dV
dx = 0
dV
(b) mẍ + γmẋ − dx = 0
(c) mẍ − γmẋ + dV
dx = 0
(d) mẍ + dV
dx = 0
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16. The Lagrangian of a particle moving in a plane is given in Carte-

sian coordinates as

L = ẋẏ − x2 − y2
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In polar coordinates the expression for the canonical momentum pr

(conjugate to the radial coordinate r) is
(a) ṙ sin θ + rθ̇ cos θ (b) ṙ cos θ + rθ̇ sin θ
(c) 2ṙ cos θ − rθ̇ sin θ (d) ṙ sin 2θ + rθ̇ cos 2θ

17. A particle in two dimensions is in a potential V (x, y) = x + 2y.

Which of the following (apart from the total energy of the particle) is

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also a constant of motion?

(a) py − 2px (b) px − 2py (c) px + 2py (d) py + 2px

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18. The dynamics of a particle governed by the Lagrangian

1 1
L = mẋ2 − kx2 − kxẋt
2 2

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describes
(a) an undamped simple simple harmonic oscillator
(b) a dumped harmonic oscillator with a time varying damping factor
(c) an undamped harmonic oscillator with a time dependent frequency
(d) a free particle
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4 Set 2: Answer Keys
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1. a
2. c
3. a
4. b
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5. a
6. b
7. b
8.d
9. a
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10. a
11. b
12. d
13. a
14. d
15. a
16. d
17. a
18. d

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