Classical Mechanics- something bothering me

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The discussion centers on the conditions necessary to construct a Hamiltonian from a given Lagrangian in classical mechanics. It is established that a Hamiltonian can be built from a Lagrangian as long as the Lagrangian is in the familiar form of kinetic and potential energy. The key requirement is that the Lagrangian must be coordinate-dependent and should not include generalized velocities. This principle applies even in the context of degenerate systems.

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Palindrom
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Under what conditions can I "build" a Hamiltonian from a given Lagrangian?
I'm thinking it might have something to do with the potential, but it's not really clear to me what it is the question is.
 
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Palindrom said:
Under what conditions can I "build" a Hamiltonian from a given Lagrangian?
I'm thinking it might have something to do with the potential, but it's not really clear to me what it is the question is.

Any conditions,provided the Lagrangian has the "familiar" form:Kinetic-Potential energy.
It has no connection with the potential,as long it is coordinate dependent only and does not contain "generalized velocities".
Daniel

PS.In the first statement i included the degenerate systems.
 
dextercioby said:
Any conditions,provided the Lagrangian has the "familiar" form:Kinetic-Potential energy.
It has no connection with the potential,as long it is coordinate dependent only and does not contain "generalized velocities".
Daniel

PS.In the first statement i included the degenerate systems.
I think that might be it. Besides, they gave me the kinetical energy, but not the potential, so it's probably it.
Thanks!
 

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