Question
What is the degree of freedom for the following cases:
(a) A body constraint to move on the surface of the earth.
(b) A body constraint to move on the surface of the earth only along the equator of the earth.
(c) Bob of a simple pendulum.
(d) Cylinder rotating about its axis only.
(e) Monoatomic gas molecule.
Solution
(a) The earth is three-dimensional but the body is constrained to move on the surface of the earth. Therefore, one degree of freedom will decrease and the body has 2 degrees of freedom.
(b) Only one degree of freedom.
(c) One degree of freedom.
(d) One degree of freedom.
(e) Three degrees of freedom.
