Past exam of the physics 1 paper of the University of Oxford / 2022 / 5

Use upward generalized coordinates. Let $h$ be the displacement of the lower pulley and $z$ that of the $4m$ mass. The two inextensible mechanical strings imposeFor ideal massless pulleys and mechanical strings, only the three masses contribute kinetic energy. HenceUp to a constant, their gravitational potential energy isThe Lagrangian of this compound Atwood machine is therefore

A constant displacement proportional to $(1,-3)$ leaves the velocities unchanged and changes $3x+y$ by zero. It is therefore a continuous symmetry of the Lagrangian. The generalized momentum components areNoether's theorem gives the conserved quantityA direct check using the Euler-Lagrange equations isThe normalization of a symmetry generator is arbitrary. One can take the transformation parameter to have length units and $(K_x,K_y)=(1,-3)$ dimensionless, giving $P$ the units of momentum. Alternatively, for the paper's convention with dimensionless parameter and length-valued $K_i$, use $(K_x,K_y)=(\ell ,-3\ell )$; the conserved quantity is then $\ell P$. The conserved content is identical.