Angular momentum in Lagrangian Mechanics

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the application of Lagrangian mechanics to analyze angular momentum in central force problems. The Lagrangian is defined as L=1/2m(r' ^2+r^2 \varphi'^2)-V(r), leading to the expression for angular momentum as mr^2 \varphi'=l. Two methods using the Euler-Lagrange equation are explored, revealing a discrepancy in signs when evaluating the derivatives of angular momentum with respect to time and position. The conclusion emphasizes that while angular momentum remains constant over time, its partial derivative with respect to the radial coordinate is non-zero.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lagrangian mechanics and the Euler-Lagrange equation
  • Familiarity with angular momentum concepts in classical mechanics
  • Knowledge of central force problems in physics
  • Basic proficiency in calculus, particularly partial derivatives
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  • Study the derivation of the Euler-Lagrange equation in detail
  • Explore the implications of cyclic coordinates in Lagrangian mechanics
  • Investigate the relationship between angular momentum and central force motion
  • Learn about the conservation laws in classical mechanics
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Physics students, researchers in classical mechanics, and anyone interested in the mathematical foundations of angular momentum in Lagrangian formalism.

TheDragon
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In Newton's problem,and other central force problems in Classical Mechanics, you can get with decreasing the center of mass movement to the lagrangian:
[itex]L=1/2m(r' ^2+r^2 \varphi'^2)-V(r)[/itex]
because [itex]\varphi[/itex] is cyclic, you can write:
[itex]\frac{d}{dt}(mr^2 \varphi')=0[/itex]
or, defining the angular momentum:
[itex]mr^2 \varphi'=l[/itex]

In order for you to understand my question we will go through two ways:

Way no.1) Now if you go ahead and use euler-lagrange equation to r you will get:
[itex]\frac{d}{dt}(mr')=mr\varphi'^2-\frac{∂V(r)}{∂r}[/itex]
and exchanging for l you can get:
[itex]\frac{d}{dt}(mr')=\frac{l^2}{mr^3}-\frac{∂V(r)}{∂r}[/itex]

Way no.2) But if you first excange phi and then use euler-lagrange to r you get:
[itex]L=1/2m(r' ^2+\frac{l^2}{m^2r^2})-V(r)=1/2mr' ^2+\frac{l^2}{2mr^2}-V(r)[/itex]
and then euler lagrange for r:
[itex]\frac{d}{dt}(mr')=\frac{∂}{∂r}(\frac{l^2}{2mr^2})-\frac{∂V(r)}{∂r}=-\frac{l^2}{mr^3}-\frac{∂V(r)}{∂r}[/itex]

The plus in way no.1 became a minus in way no.2. How can you explain it?
If you can, don't show me a solution using energy because I already know that one. I want to use only lagrangian formalism.
 
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The answer to the question is that the angular momentum is a constant in relation to time, but the partial derivative in r is not zero. In other words:
[itex]\frac{dl}{dt}=0[/itex],

[itex]\frac{∂l}{∂r}\neq0[/itex].

I do think that:
[itex]\frac{dl}{dr}=0[/itex].
 

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