Sharing of an in-Class Experience with Lagrange Equations of the First and Second Kind for Determining Reaction Forces

The current study deals with in-class observations made during the teaching of a graduate-level mechanical engineering course entitled ‘Dynamics of Mechanical Systems’. The specific discussion is about the students' various approaches to the application of Lagrange equations in the context of a homework assignment. The analytical solution requested from the class deals with the determination of the vertical component of the reaction force between a spherical pendulum and its hanging point.