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33 votes
2 answers
10k views

Lagrangian and Hamiltonian EOM with dissipative force

I am trying to write the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian for the forced Harmonic oscillator before quantizing it to get to the quantum picture. For EOM $$m\ddot{q}+\beta\dot{q}+kq=f(t),$$ I write the ...
1 vote
2 answers
327 views

How do I check if a transformation is a point transformation?

In Lagrangian mechanics, I came across the notion of a point transformation which leaves the Lagrangian invariant. Normally it is denoted as follows. $$Q = Q(q,t).$$ Now, unlike in the case of a ...
2 votes
2 answers
161 views

QFT introduction: From point mechanics to the continuum

In any introductory quantum field theory course, one gets introduced with the modification of the classical Lagrangian and the conjugate momentum to the field theory lagrangian (density) and conjugate ...
-1 votes
0 answers
36 views

Getting an opposite sign for the centrifugal potential energy in the effective potential [duplicate]

Consider a system whose Lagrangian is $$L = \frac12 \mu\left( \dot r^2 + r^2 \dot\theta^2 \right) -U(r) $$ By the Euler-Lagrange equation, $$\frac{\partial L}{\partial\theta}=\frac{d}{dt}\frac{\...
0 votes
0 answers
31 views

Centrifugal Governor Question [closed]

I've been working through Hand and Finch's Analytical Mechanics and have just attempted this question: My attempt at a solution is as follows: First, find the kinetic energy of the two masses $m$ by ...
6 votes
3 answers
1k views

In equation (3) from lecture 7 in Leonard Susskind’s ‘Classical Mechanics’, should the derivatives be partial?

Here are the equations. ($V$ represents a potential function and $p$ represents momentum.) $$V(q_1,q_2) = V(aq_1 - bq_2)$$ $$\dot{p}_1 = -aV'(aq_1 - bq_2)$$ $$\dot{p}_2 = +bV'(aq_1 - bq_2)$$ Should ...
1 vote
2 answers
106 views

Does Hamilton's principle allow a path to have both a process of time forward evolution and a process of time backward evolution?

This is from Analytical Mechanics by Louis Hand et al. The proof is about Maupertuis' principle. The author seems to say that Hamilton's principle allow a path to have both a process of time forward ...
-3 votes
2 answers
76 views

Meaning of $d\mathcal{L}=-H$ in analytical mechanics?

In Lagrangian mechanics the momentum is defined as: $$p=\frac{\partial \mathcal{L}}{\partial \dot q}$$ Also we can define it as: $$p=\frac{\partial S}{\partial q}$$ where $S$ is Hamilton's principal ...
0 votes
0 answers
26 views

Prerequisites for studying Lev Landau Mechanics vol. 1 [closed]

Lev Landau Mechanics vol. 1 dives directly into Lagrangians and Hamiltonians. What do you think are the prerequisites in order to study and grasp it?
1 vote
1 answer
398 views

What is the degrees of freedom (Lagrange equation) of two connected spool rolling down two inclines?

I'm quite confused as to how to use the Lagrange equation [second type] in a system which features a spool rolling down an incline. I think this particular example is quite representative of what is ...
3 votes
4 answers
1k views

Is there an error in Susskinds' derivation of Euler-Lagrange equations?

First, I believe there is a trivial error. The second equation should have another $\Delta t$ multiplying everything on the right. It is divided out later when the equation I set equal to 0. Given ...
0 votes
1 answer
86 views

Action-angle variables for three-dimensional harmonic oscillator using cylindrical coordinates

I am solving problem 19 of ch 10 of Goldstein mechanics. The problem is: A three-dimensional harmonic oscillator has the force constant k1 in the x- and y- directions and k3 in the z-direction. Using ...
1 vote
1 answer
61 views

Vanishing virtual work done by non-holonomic constraints

I was reading classical mechanics by NC Rana. I was reading a topic on vanishing virtual work done due to constraint forces. How do you prove that the virtual work done by non-holonomic constraint ...
2 votes
1 answer
325 views

How do we get Maupertuis Principle from Hamilton's Principle?

Maupertuis principle says that if we know the initial and final coordinates but not time, the total energy and the fact that energy is conserved, we can choose the "right" path from all mathematically ...
1 vote
2 answers
203 views

Lagrangian function for two swivelling masses attached by a spring

I am just having a hard time finding the Lagrangian for this question. There are two massless rigid rods lengths R (connected to mass M) and r (connected to mass m) which both pivot around a fixed ...

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