Past exam of the theoretical physics I course of the University of Cambridge / 2016 / Paper 1 / 1 / b

Set $\Delta =\theta -{\theta }_B$ and $u=z-b{\theta }_B$. Applying the Euler-Lagrange equations separately to $r,\theta ,z,{\theta }_B$ givesFor example, $\partial L/\partial \theta =-kar\sin \Delta$ whereas $\partial L/\partial {\theta }_B=kar\sin \Delta +kbu$; these signs also follow from equal and opposite spring forces projected on the permitted bead motion. The angular particle equation can equivalently be written $m(r^2\ddot{\theta }+2r\dot{r}\dot{\theta })=-kar\sin \Delta$. The factor $M(a^2+b^2)$ is the bead's inertia with respect to the helical coordinate, rather than its moment of inertia about the axis alone.