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5 votes
3 answers
631 views

Is Principle of Least Action a first principle? [closed]

It is on the basis of Principle of Least Action, that Lagrangian mechanics is built upon, and is responsible for light travelling in a straight line. Is its the classical equivalent of Schrodinger's ...
megamonster68's user avatar
-2 votes
2 answers
97 views

On the physical meaning of functionals and the interpretation of their output numbers

I am studying about functionals, and while looking for some examples of functionals in physics, I have run into this handout . Here are two questions of mine. 1- This handout starts as follows (the ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
130 views

WKB method as a Semiclassical Approach

A naive question about WKB approach. It is dubbed to be a "semiclassical" method. What is precisely mean in quantum mechanical context to be "semiclassical"? Wikipedia states that ...
user267839's user avatar
  • 1,395
2 votes
3 answers
466 views

Why isn't frame of reference called reference point? [closed]

A frame of reference is the perspective you have on a happenstance. But isn't it a viewpoint or point of view? As in, a literal point, from which something is observed? If so, why is it called a frame ...
FMB's user avatar
  • 123
5 votes
3 answers
818 views

Doubt in Arnold's "Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics", Chapter 2

My question is about Arnold's book "Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics", chapter 2, section B (pg. 16). He talks about systems with one degree of freedom, i.e. systems described by $...
algebroo's user avatar
  • 165
3 votes
0 answers
29 views

Terminology of different equilibria?

I've heard many equilibrium terms: Translational equilibrium Rotational equilibrium Static equilibrium Dynamic equilibrium The different terminology is slightly confusing. My understanding is as ...
Jeremy Clarkson's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
36 views

On-shell condition in Classical Mechanics [duplicate]

Which is the on-shell condition in classical mechanics? I mean in QFT we use to tell about external particle state as to be in a on-shell condition which means that these particles have to statisfy ...
nabla_quadro's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
62 views

When can a "theorem" be raised to a "principle"? [duplicate]

I am taking a 3rd year course in analytical mechanics, taught by a professor of mathematical physics. One of the important results of analytical mechanics is d'Alembert's principle. According to our ...
Foxy's user avatar
  • 123
1 vote
1 answer
386 views

What is difference between a monogenic system and a dynamical system?

What is difference between a monogenic system and a dynamical system? I am confused in reading about the Hamiltonian principle because some book write system as monogenic and other dynamical. ...
KARNI DAN 's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
504 views

What is the difference between variational principle, principle of stationary action and Hamilton's principle?

In advanced mechanics, we learn about the variational principle, the principle of stationary action, and the Hamilton's principle. I feel that the difference between them is not very clearly organized ...
Solidification's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
818 views

What does mean to say that "the problem is reduced to quadratures" and why is it useful?

In classical mechanics, what does it mean to say that "the problem is reduced to quadratures"? And why is that useful? In the answer, bobbyphysics remarked that reduction to quadratures ...
Solidification's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
2k views

What is "equilibrium position" in simple harmonic motion?

In simple harmonic motion (SHM) is equilibrium position equal to the extreme position (i.e. where the external force and restoring force are equal), or where all kinetic energy of the body is ...
Prajakta Shetty's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
65 views

Meaning of the 'action of the force' in physics

Example: The potential energy of this object is created due to the action of the force $F$. Why not? The potential energy of this object is created by the force $F$.
John's user avatar
  • 103
0 votes
1 answer
579 views

Independent generalized coordinates are dependent

(This is not about independence of $q$,$\dot q$) A system has some holonomic constraints. Using them we can have a set of coordinates ${q_i}$. Since any values for these coordinates is possible we say ...
Kashmiri's user avatar
  • 1,270
0 votes
2 answers
61 views

Perturbation of velocity in Hamilton equations. What do you call it?

Consider a Hamilton function $$H_0(x,p) = \frac{p^2}{2m}+ V(x).$$ The canonical equations then read $$\dot{x}(t) = p/m$$ and $$\dot{p}(t) = -V'(x)$$ Now imagine, we add an additional term $$\dot{x}(t) ...
Pritam Bemis's user avatar

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