Understanding Lagrangian: Explaining \frac{\delta S}{\delta \varphi _i}=0

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrangian#Explanation

I am trying to prove pV=nRT and in order to do so one need to get lagrangian (not the math formula it seems)

Here is an explanation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrangian#Explanation

why is

\frac{\delta S}{\delta \varphi _i}=0?

S is a point given in time and space but I guess my problem is what is
\varphi



I guess that it is the value of the field at that point in spacetime as they write does not help me much to get what it is
 
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georg gill said:
I am trying to prove pV=nRT [...]
You didn't say what these symbols mean.

why is

\frac{\delta S}{\delta \varphi _i}=0?

S is a point given in time and space
No. S is the action. Read a bit further on that Wiki page. It says
<br /> \mathcal{S} [\varphi_i] = \int{\mathcal{L} [\varphi_i (x)]\, \mathrm{d}^4x} <br />
Lagrangian/Hamiltonian mechanics start from a principle of least action, meaning
that the total action is assumed not to vary under small variations of the generalized coordinates (i.e., the \varphi_i in this case) and the equations of motion are
then derived from this principle.

but I guess my problem is what is \varphi
It's a generalized configuration variable.

BTW, this question probably belongs over on the classical mechanics forum. It sounds like you really need a textbook, and someone over there could probably suggest one.
 
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