Calculating generator function in canonical transformation

[Sourabh N]

I'm searching for an example of how to find out generator function for a canonical transformation, when new canonical variables are given in terms of old variables. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[genneth]

See any classical mechanics textbook, such as Goldstein.

 

[RicoB]

Let us take, for example, a generator function of type 2 (please see goldstein), i.e , F2(q,P,t) function of the old coordinates (q) and the new momenta (P), and consider the following non-relativistic transformation:

x=x'+Vt , x'- new (spacial) coordinate
t=t' , (time remains the same)

as you can see, you will also have to know how the momenta transforms (in order to determine F2)

px=mV+px' , px' new momentum (px'=P, if you prefer)

For the type 2 generator function,

p=dF2/dq (partial derivative)
Q=dF2/dP (partial derivative)

So, all you have to do is integrate, i.e

px is your old momentum, therefore F2 = (mV+px')x + A
now let's determine A,

"A" is not a constant because if you take dF2/dP it won't equal the new momenta. There's still a " - Vtpx' "
lacking in the equation (with the minus sign included).
Well if that quatity is missing , all we have to do is add it to the equation (A=-Vtpx').

So here it is, the F2(q,P,t) generator function for this non-relativistic transformation is:

F2 = (mV+px')x - Vtpx'

I down know if there is another (better) way to do it, but I hope it helps.

Best regards

Rico B.