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Hamiltonian Dynamics and Cyclic Coordinates

This document provides an overview of Hamiltonian dynamics. It defines generalized momentum and cyclic coordinates. Generalized momentum is the conjugate momentum corresponding to generalized coordinates. If a Lagrangian does not contain a coordinate explicitly, that coordinate is cyclic and its corresponding generalized momentum is conserved. Examples are given of central force problems and motion in electromagnetic fields in plane polar coordinates. In these examples, the angular momentum and linear momentum plus electromagnetic momentum are conserved, respectively, due to the cyclic nature of the angular coordinate.

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Nithin Gigi
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397 views10 pages

Hamiltonian Dynamics and Cyclic Coordinates

This document provides an overview of Hamiltonian dynamics. It defines generalized momentum and cyclic coordinates. Generalized momentum is the conjugate momentum corresponding to generalized coordinates. If a Lagrangian does not contain a coordinate explicitly, that coordinate is cyclic and its corresponding generalized momentum is conserved. Examples are given of central force problems and motion in electromagnetic fields in plane polar coordinates. In these examples, the angular momentum and linear momentum plus electromagnetic momentum are conserved, respectively, due to the cyclic nature of the angular coordinate.

Uploaded by

Nithin Gigi
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction
  • Hamiltonian & Lagrangian Dynamics
  • Generalized Momentum and Cyclic Coordinates
  • Plane Polar Coordinates
  • Example 1: Motion of a Particle in a Central Force Field
  • Example 2: A Charge Moving in an Electromagnetic Field
  • References

UNIT 5

Hamiltonian dynamics
DR. JIJI SG
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics
Mar Ivanios College
Trivandrum
Syllabus
o Generalized momentum and cyclic coordinates
o Hamiltonian function H
o Conservation of energy
o Hamilton’s equations
o Examples of Hamiltonian dynamics
o One dimensional harmonic oscillator
o Two dimensional harmonic oscillator using Cartesian coordinates (comparison of
Newtonian, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian approach )
Introduction
Mechanics

Classical
Mechanics

Analtycal Newtonian

Lagrange Hamiltonian
Hamiltonian & Lagrangian
Dynamics

Lagrangian Hamiltonian

Generalized coordinates Generalized coordinates


• Position • Position
• Velocity • Momentum
• (Second order linear • (First order linear
differential equations) differential equations)
Generalized momentum and cyclic coordinates
Kinetic energy of the particle is , [1]

Derivative of T with respect to 𝑥, [2]

If V is not a function of the velocity 𝑥

Then the momentum P can be written as


(eq [2] becomes), [3]

Similarly for a system described by a set of generalized coordinates and generalized


velocities ,we define the Generalized momentum corresponding to the generalized
co-ordinats as
[4]

This is called Conjugate momentum or canonical momentum


cyclic coordinates

For a conservative system, the Lagrange’s equations are given by [5]

Substituting for eq [4],ie. The generalized momentum we get

If 𝑞𝑘 does not appear explicitly, then

Ie,

Thus whenever the Lagrangian function does not contain a coordinate 𝑞𝑘 explicitly,
the generalized momentum 𝑝𝑘 is a constant of motion. The coordinate 𝒒𝒌 is
called cyclic or ignorable. In other words, the generalized momentum associated
with an ignorable coordinate is a constant of motion for the system.
Plane polar coordinates (Polar
coordinates)

The relations connecting (𝒙, 𝒚) and (𝒓, 𝜽)

The elementary lengths : 𝑑𝑟, 𝑟𝑑𝜃


Elementary area: 𝑑𝑟 × 𝑟𝑑𝜃 = 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃
Velocity component: 𝑟, 𝑟𝜃
Example 1: Motion of a particle in a central force field:

In plane polar coordinates the Lagrangian L can be expressed as,

Generalized momentun P is the angular momentum and is a constant of motion in


time. Thus angular momentum of the system is conserved in the central force
problem. The constant of motion is called first integral because

Is a first order differential equation and has been obtained by integrating


Example 2: A charge moving in an electromagnetic field:

The Lagrangian L of a particle with charge q in an electromagnetic field

𝑇 = 𝐾𝐸
𝛟 = 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

There for the above eq. becomes,

The generalized momentum,

The generalized momentum is the sum of mechanical momentum and the X


component of the electromagnetic linear momentum of the field associated with
charge q

Suppose 𝛟 and A both are independent of x, x does not appear in L and is there fore cyclic
Coordinate. Ie, the corresponding generalized momentum is conserved
References

1. Classical mechanics, Herbert Goldstein, Charles Poole, John Safko


2. Classical mechanics, J.C. Upadhyaya

Hamiltonian dynamics DR. JIJI SG Assistant Professor Department of Physics Mar Ivanios College Trivandrum UNIT 5
Syllabus o Generalized momentum and cyclic coordinates o Hamiltonian function H o Conservation of energy o Hamilton
Introduction Mechanics Classical Mechanics Analtycal Lagrange Hamiltonian Newtonian
Hamiltonian & Lagrangian Dynamics Lagrangian Generalized coordinates • Position • Velocity • (Second order linear dif
Generalized momentum and cyclic coordinates Kinetic energy of the particle is ,
For a conservative system, the Lagrange’s equations are given by If 𝑞𝑘 does not appear explicitly, then Substituting for
Plane polar coordinates (Polar coordinates) The relations connecting (𝒙, 𝒚) and (𝒓, 𝜽) The elementary lengths : 𝑑𝑟,
Example 1: Motion of a particle in a central force field: In plane polar coordinates the Lagrangian L can be expressed as,
Example 2: A charge moving in an electromagnetic field: The Lagrangian L of a particle with charge q in an electromagnetic f
References 1. Classical mechanics, Herbert Goldstein, Charles Poole, John Safko 2. Classical mechanics, J.C. Upadhyaya

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