EL Equations for the modified electromagnetic field Lagrangian

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of the Euler-Lagrange equations for a modified electromagnetic field Lagrangian. Participants explore the calculations involved in deriving the equations from the modified Lagrangian, addressing specific components and steps in the process.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents their derivation of the Euler-Lagrange equations for the modified Lagrangian, detailing the steps taken and expressing confusion about a specific calculation.
  • The modified Lagrangian includes an additional term, and the participant seeks to understand how this affects the Euler-Lagrange equations.
  • Another participant suggests that the first participant has derived the necessary expression but notes a potential sign error in the result.
  • A later reply acknowledges the assistance provided and expresses relief at having clarified the confusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus on the correctness of the derivation, as one participant points out a possible sign error, indicating that some uncertainty remains regarding the final expression.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes detailed mathematical expressions and derivations, which may depend on specific definitions and assumptions not fully articulated in the thread. The calculations involve multiple steps that could introduce errors or misinterpretations.

Irrational
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Hi,

I'm trying to work through something and it should be quite simple but somehow I've gotten a bit confused.

I've worked through the Euler Lagrange equations for the lagrangian:

<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \mathcal{L}_{0} &amp;= -\frac{1}{4}(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})(\partial^{\mu}A^{\nu}) \\<br /> &amp;= \frac{1}{4}F_{\mu\nu}F^{\mu\nu}<br /> \end{align*}<br />

getting:

\Box A_{\nu} - \partial^{\nu}\partial_{\mu}A^{\mu} = 0

I'm ok with this.

Then considering the modified lagrangian:

\mathcal{L}_{\xi} = \mathcal{L}_{0} + \frac{\lambda}{2}(\partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma})^2

I'm trying to work out the EL equation components and as part of one of these calculations, I've to calculate:

<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} \left[ \frac{\lambda}{2} (\partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma})^2 \right] <br /> <br /> &amp;= \frac{\lambda}{2} \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma} ) ( \partial_{\rho}A^{\rho} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp;= \frac{\lambda}{2} \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} ) ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} \eta^{\rho \beta} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\rho \beta} \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} ) ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\rho \beta} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} ) \left( \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \right) + \left( \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} ) \right) ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\rho \beta} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} ) \delta^{\mu}_{\rho} \delta^{\nu}_{\beta} + \delta^{\mu}_{\sigma} \delta^{\nu}_{\alpha} ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\rho \beta} ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} ) \delta^{\mu}_{\rho} \delta^{\nu}_{\beta}<br /> + <br /> \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\rho \beta} \delta^{\mu}_{\sigma} \delta^{\nu}_{\alpha} ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\mu \nu} ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} )<br /> + <br /> \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\mu \nu} \eta^{\rho \beta} ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\mu \nu} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma} )<br /> + <br /> ( \partial_{\rho}A^{\rho} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \lambda \eta^{\mu \nu} ( \partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma} ) \\<br /> <br /> \end{align*}<br />

Now I was hoping to get:

<br /> \lambda \partial^{\nu} A^{\mu}<br />

as ultimately I need the EL equations to give me:

<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \frac{\partial \mathcal{L}_{\xi}}{\partial A_{\nu}} - \partial_{\mu} \left( \frac{\partial \mathcal{L}_{\xi}}{\partial (\partial_{\mu} A_{\nu})} \right)<br /> &amp;=\Box A^{\nu} - \partial^{\nu} ( \partial_{\mu} A^{\mu} ) - \lambda \partial^{\nu}(\partial_{\mu} A^{\mu}) \\<br /> &amp;= \Box A^{\nu} - ( 1 + \lambda ) \partial^{\nu} ( \partial_{\mu} A^{\mu} ) \\<br /> &amp;= 0<br /> \end{align*}<br />

Can anyone show me where I've gone wrong? I didn't stick this in the homework section as it's not homework. I'm just trying to work through the through missing steps from the text I'm reading.

Thanks in advance
 
Last edited:
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edit... now I'm finished stating the question.
 
Last edited:
Irrational, You've got exactly what you need. :smile: Well, up to a minus sign anyway. You've got λ ημν(∂σAσ). So plug this into the Euler-Lagrange equation:
-∂μ(λ ημν(∂σAσ)) = -λ ∂ν(∂σAσ) = -λ ∂ν(∂μAμ)
 
you have no idea how thick i feel right now. thanks for filling in the gap.
 

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