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1answer
32 views

Finding Hamilton's equations given a Hamiltonian

I am trying to find Hamilton's equations for a general Hamiltonian given by $$H[u]=\int_\mathbf{R} \phi(u,u_x)dx$$ Suppose \frac{\delta f[u]}{\delta u(x)}\equiv \frac{\partial f}{\partial ...
2answers
79 views

What would happen if energy was conserved but phase space volume wasn't? (and vice-versa)

I'm trying to understand the relationship between the two conservation laws. As I understand, Liouville's result is a weaker condition: it relies merely on the particular form assumed by Hamilton's ...
1answer
58 views

Peculiar Hamiltonian Phase space

I was solving an exercise of classical mechanics : Consider the following hamiltonian $H(p,q,t) = \frac{p^2}{2m} + \lambda pq + \frac{1}{2}m\lambda^2\frac{q^6}{q^4+\alpha^4}$ Where ...
3answers
111 views

Physical interpretation of Poisson bracket properties

In classical Hamiltonian mechanics evolution of any observable (scalar function on a manifold in hand) is given as $$\frac{dA}{dt} = [A,H]+\frac{\partial A}{\partial t}$$ So Poisson bracket is a ...
1answer
295 views

About Turbulence modeling

There is a paper titled "Lagrangian/Hamiltonian formalism for description of Navier-Stokes fluids" in PRL. After reading the paper, the question arises how far can we investigate turbulence with this ...
0answers
300 views

Calculation of the non-Gaussity parameter for primordial cosmological perturbations by the ADM Formalism

Maldacena has used the ADM Formalism in one of his papers (http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0210603) in computing the the three point correlation function (i.e the non-Gaussianity) parameter for ...
1answer
117 views

Phase space in quantum mechanics and Heisenberg uncertainty principle

In my book about quantum mechanics they give a derivation that for one particle an area of $h$ in $2D$ phase space contains exactly one quantum mechanical state. In my book about statistical physics ...
1answer
49 views

Is symplectic form in Hamiltonian mechanics a physical quantity?

Is symplectic form $dp_i \wedge dq_i$ in Hamiltonian mechanics a physical quantity? It feels to me to be something different than say energy, momentum or mass. Like just certain structure. The real ...
2answers
208 views

primary constraints for constrained Hamiltonian systems

I would be most thankful if you could help me clarify the setting of primary constraints for constrained Hamiltonian systems. I am reading "Classical and quantum dynamics of constrained Hamiltonian ...
1answer
173 views

Can I find a potential function in the usual way if the central field contains $t$ in its magnitude?

I'm working on a classical mechanics problem in which the problem states that a particle of mass $m$ moves in a central field of attractive force of magnitude: $$F(r, t) = \frac{k}{r^2}e^{-at}$$ ...
1answer
56 views

Quantum mechanical analogue of conjugate momentum

In classical mechanics, we define the concept of canonical momentum conjugate to a given generalised position coordinate. This quantity is the partial derivative of the Lagrangian of the system, with ...
2answers
154 views

Elimination of velocities from momenta equations for singular Lagrangian

this doubt is related to Generalized Hamiltonian Dynamics paper by Dirac. Consider the set of $n$ equations : $p_i$ = $∂L/∂v_i$, (where $v_i$ is $q_i$(dot) = $dq_i/dt$, or time derivative of ...
2answers
349 views

Lorentz invariance of the 3 + 1 decomposition of spacetime

Why is allowed decompose the spacetime metric into a spatial part + temporal part like this for example $$ds^2 ~=~ (-N^2 + N_aN^a)dt^2 + 2N_adtdx^a + q_{ab}dx^adx^b$$ ($N$ is called lapse, $N_a$ is ...
0answers
300 views

Square of Laplace–Runge–Lenz vector in Hydrogen atom [closed]

I have a problem. I've tried this question, but I don't get the correct expression. Can someone give me some ideas? Thanks! Consider the Hydrogen Atom Hamiltonian:  H = (\mathbf p^2/2 ...
1answer
103 views

rate of change of spring potential energy $\frac{dU}{dt}$

Suppose we have a setup like this. In orange are two wooden sticks sort of things, and they are attached to the block of mass $m$(as usual) at a joint which is hinge type something. A similar ...
2answers
84 views

Heisenberg evolution equation for $\hat{\phi}$

Consider quantum Hamiltonian of free massive scalar particle: \hat{H} = \int d^3x \left[\frac{1}{2} \hat{\pi}^2 (t, \vec{x}) + \frac{1}{2} \partial_i \hat{\phi}(t, \vec{x}) \partial_i \hat{\phi}(t, ...
2answers
146 views

From Lagrangian to Hamiltonian in Fermionic Model

While going from a given Lagrangian to Hamiltonian for a fermionic field, we use the following formula. $$H = \Sigma_{i} \pi_i \dot{\phi_i} - L$$ where \$\pi_i = \dfrac{\partial L}{\partial ...
2answers
154 views

Ordering Ambiguity in Quantum Hamiltonian

While dealing with General Sigma models (See e.g. Ref. 1) $$\tag{10.67} S ~=~ \frac{1}{2}\int \! dt ~g_{ij}(X) \dot{X^i} \dot{X^j},$$ where the Riemann metric can be expanded as, \tag{10.68} ...
1answer
132 views

The relation between Hamiltonian and Energy

I know Hamiltonian can be energy and be a constant of motion if and only if: Lagrangian be time-independent, potential be independent of velocity, coordinate be time independent. Otherwise ...
1answer
52 views

Deriving equations of motion of polymer chain with Hamilton's equations

This is related to a question about a simple model of a polymer chain that I have asked yesterday. I have a Hamiltonian that is given as: \$H = \sum\limits_{i=1}^N \frac{p_{\alpha_i}^2}{2m} + ...
1answer
52 views

Hamiltonian of polymer chain

I'm reading up on classical mechanics. In my book there is an example of a simple classical polymer model, which consists of N point particles that are connected by nearest neighbor harmonic ...
2answers
161 views

Weyl Ordering Rule

While studying Path Integrals in Quantum Mechanics I have found that [Srednicki: Eqn. no. 6.6] the quantum Hamiltonian $\hat{H}(\hat{P},\hat{Q})$ can be given in terms of the classical Hamiltonian ...
2answers
214 views

Quantum Mechanics Notation for BRA KET

I've been given this homework problem, but I do not understand its notation. Please perform the following where the wavefunctions are the normalized eigenfunctions of the harmonic oscillator ...
0answers
40 views

The consistency conditions of constrained Hamiltonian systems

I am studying the Hamiltonian description of a constrained system. There are some questions puzzled me for days, which I have been stuck on it. From the lagrangian, we can obtain the primary ...
0answers
49 views

Second order action ADM formalism

I am trying to derive the second order action $$S_{(2)}~=~\frac{m_{pl}^{2}}{8}\int a^{2}[(h_{ij}')^{2}-(\partial_{i}h_{ij})^{2}]d^{4}x,$$ used for tensor fluctuations derived from the ADM ...
2answers
191 views

The string Poisson bracket

Where does the factor $\frac{1}{T}$ ($T$ is the string tension) in this Poisson bracket come from?  \{X^{\mu}(\tau,\sigma),\dot{X}^{\nu}(\tau,\sigma')\} ~=~ ...
3answers
86 views

Other application of Liouville's theorem besides thermodynamics

Are there any other important practical and theoretical consequences of Liouville's theorem on the conservation of phase space volume besides the calculation of the microcanonical potential in ...
1answer
79 views

Is Hamilton-Jacobi equation valid for only conserved systems?

From derivation of Hamilton-Jacobi (HJ) equation one can see that it is only applicable for conserved systems, but from some books and Wikipedia one reads the HJ equation as ...
1answer
93 views

Does a constant of motion always imply a Hamiltonian formulation?

If a continuous dynamical system has a constant of motion that is a function of all its variables, and is not already evidently Hamiltonian, is it always possible to use a change of variables and ...
2answers
108 views

Are Poisson brackets of second-class constraints independent of the canonical coordinates?

Say we have a constraint system with second-class constraints $\chi_N(q,p)=0$. To define Dirac brackets we need the Poisson brackets of these constraints: $C_{NM}=\{\chi_N(q,p),\chi_M(q,p)\}_P$ . Is ...
1answer
80 views

Eikonal approximation for wave optics. Why follow the unit vector parallel to the Pointing vector?

The description of the passage from wave optics to geometrical optics claims that light rays are the integral curves of a certain vector field (the Pointing vector direction, normalized to 1). Here ...
1answer
81 views

Noise spectrum of two systems and interacting Hamiltonian

I've been discovering recently the concept of noise spectrum, defined as: $$S_{xx}[\omega] = \int dt<x(t)x(0)>\text{e}^{-i\omega t}$$ Roughly the Fourrier transform of the two-point function. ...
5answers
1k views

Why not using Lagrangian, instead of Hamiltonian, in non relativistic QM?

When we studied classical mechanics on the undergraduate level, on the level of Taylor, we covered Hamiltonian as well as Lagrangian mechanics. Now when we studied QM, on the level of Griffiths, we ...
1answer
157 views

Find the Hamiltonian given $\dot p$ and $\dot q$

I have these equations: $$\dot p=ap+bq,$$ $$\dot q=cp+dq,$$ and I have to find the conditions such as the equations are canonical. Then, I have to find the Hamiltonian $H$. To answer to the first ...
1answer
75 views

Find generating function $F_1$ for canonical trasformation

I'd like to know the steps to follow to find the generating function $F_1(q,Q)$ given a canonical transformation. For example, considering the transformation $$q=Q^{1/2}e^{-P}$$ $$p=Q^{1/2}e^P$$ ...
1answer
55 views

Solution of motion in hamiltonian formalism

I have these canonical equations: $$\dot p = - \alpha pq$$ $$\dot q =\frac{1}{2} \alpha q^2$$ I have to find $q(t)$ and p$(t)$, considering initial conditions $p_0$ and $q_0$. I thought to simply ...
2answers
77 views

Hamiltonian constraint in spherical Friedmann cosmology

I'm taking a GR course, in which the instructor discussed the 'Hamiltonian constraint' of spherical Friedmann cosmology action. I'm not quite clear about the definition of 'Hamiltonian constraint' ...
3answers
189 views

Factors of $c$ in the Hamiltonian for a charged particle in electromagnetic field

I've been looking for the Hamiltonian of a charged particle in an electromagnetic field, and I've found two slightly different expressions, which are as follows: H=\frac{1}{2m}(\vec{p}-q \vec{A})^2 ...
1answer
124 views

Graphical representation of Hamilton's equation of motion [closed]

Position time graph for the Hamilton's equations motion for a simple pendulum.
2answers
257 views

Hamiltonian or not?

Is there a way to know if a system described by a known equation of motion admits a Hamiltonian function? Take for example $$\dot \vartheta_i = \omega_i + J\sum_j \sin(\vartheta_j-\vartheta_i)$$ ...
3answers
68 views

Constructing a Hamiltonian (as a polynomial of $q_i$ and $p_i$) from its spectrum

For a countable sequence of positive numbers $S=\{\lambda_i\}_{i\in N}$ is there a construction producing a Hamiltonian with spectrum $S$ (or at least having the same eigenvalues for $i\leq s$ for ...
1answer
145 views

Meaning of a canonical transformation “preserving” a differential form?

In Chapter 9 of Arnold's Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics, we find the following definition: Let $g$ be a differentiable mapping of the phase space $\mathbb R^{2n}$ to $\mathbb R^{2n}$. ...
1answer
288 views

Hamilton's equations for a simple pendulum

I don't get how to use Hamilton's equations in mechanics, for example let's take the simple pendulum with $$H=\frac{p^2}{2mR^2}+mgR(1-\cos\theta)$$ Now Hamilton's equations will be: \dot ...
9answers
2k views

Book about classical mechanics

I am looking for a book about "advanced" classical mechanics. By advanced I mean a book considering directly Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation, and also providing a firm basis in the geometrical ...
5answers
541 views

What does symplecticity imply?

Symplectic systems are a common object of studies in classical physics and nonlinearity sciences. At first I assumed it was just another way of saying Hamiltonian, but I also heard it in the context ...
2answers
131 views

Hamiltonian and non conservative force

I have to find the Hamiltonian of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field; the potential vector is $\vec {A}= B/2 (-y, x, 0)$. I know that $$H=\sum_i p_i \dot q_i -L$$ where $p_i$ is ...
1answer
199 views

Cyclic Coordinates in Hamiltonian Mechanics

I was reading up on Hamiltonian Mechanics and came across the following: If a generalized coordinate $q_j$ doesn't explicitly occur in the Hamiltonian, then $p_j$ is a constant of motion ...
1answer
181 views

Sympletic structure of General Relativity

Inspired by physics.SE: http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/15571/does-the-dimensionality-of-phase-space-go-up-as-the-universe-expands/15613 It made me wonder about symplectic structures in ...
1answer
115 views

Canonical transformation and Hamilton's equations

I was trying to prove, that for a transformation to be Canonical, one must have a relationship: $$\left\{ Q_a,P_i \right\} = \delta_{ai}$$ Where $Q_a = Q_a(p_i,q_i)$ and $P_a = P_a(p_i,q_i)$. Now ...
2answers
142 views

Good book for Analytical Mechanics

What is a good book for Analytical Mechanics? To be more specific, I would prefer a book that: Is written "for mathematicians", i.e. with high mathematics precision (for example, with less emphasis ...
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