Can a Scalar Equation Be Transformed into Lagrangian Form?

[wrobel]

There is a problem from a Russian textbook in classical mechanics.

Consider a scalar equation $$\ddot x=F(t,x,\dot x),\quad x\in\mathbb{R}.$$ Show that this equation can be multiplied by a function $\mu(t,x,\dot x)\ne 0$ such that the resulting equation
$$\mu\ddot x=\mu F(t,x,\dot x)$$ has the Lagrangian form
$$\frac{d}{dt}\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot x}-\frac{\partial L}{\partial x}=0.$$
I can only say that by the Cauchy-Kowalewski theorem it can be done locally provided $F$ is an analytic function.

But some relatively elementary way is supposed. Sure it is a local assertion.

What do you think?

 

[Office_Shredder]

I've only seen the Lagrangian written like that when trying to maximize an integral. How is $L$ defined here? My brief googling didn't find anything useful.

 

[wrobel]

How is L defined here?

from the Cauchy-Kowalewski theorem. I do not have other idea.

 

[Office_Shredder]

Sorry, I think I misunderstood the question. Is it supposed to be show there exists $\mu$ such that $\mu\ddot x - \mu F$ can be written as $\frac{d}{dt} \frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot x} -\frac{\partial L}{\partial x}$ for some $L$ which is presumably formed by $F$ and $\mu$?

 

[wrobel]

Sorry, I think I misunderstood the question. Is it supposed to be show there exists μ such that μx¨−μF can be written as ddt∂L∂x˙−∂L∂x for some L which is presumably formed by F and μ?

yes and $\mu(t,x,\dot x)\ne 0$

 

[pasmith]

The obvious course is to expand the total time derivative and substitute \ddot x = F, which yields <br /> F\frac{\partial^2L}{\partial \dot x^2} + \dot x \frac{\partial^2L}{\partial x \,\partial \dot x} + \frac{\partial^2L}{\partial t\,\partial \dot x} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial x} = 0 as an equation for L; \mu is then equal to \dfrac{\partial^2L}{\partial \dot x^2}. I haven't attempted to solve this.

Another approach is to write \mu \ddot x = \frac{d}{dt}(\mu \dot x) - \frac{d\mu}{dt}\dot x so that <br /> \frac{d}{dt}(\mu\dot x) - \frac{d\mu}{dt}\dot x - \mu F = 0 and try to solve <br /> \begin{split}<br /> \frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot x} &amp;= \mu\dot x \\<br /> \frac{\partial L}{\partial x} &amp;= \frac{d\mu}{dt}\dot x + \mu F\end{split}

 

[wrobel]

The obvious course is to expand the total time derivative and substitute x¨=F, which yields F∂2L∂x˙2+x˙∂2L∂x∂x˙+∂2L∂t∂x˙−∂L∂x=0 as an equation for L;

yes and that is why I referred to Cauchy-Kowalewski

 

[strangerep]

There is a problem from a Russian textbook in classical mechanics.

Does the textbook mention the "Helmholtz conditions" in The Inverse Problem in Lagrangian Mechanics, (or similar)?

In brief, the Helmholtz conditions on a given equation of motion (EoM) are necessary and sufficient for a corresponding Lagrangian to exist.

For 1D problems, 2 of the 3 Helmholtz conditions are trivially satisfied.

Write the EoM as $\,G(x,\dot x, \ddot x, t) = 0\,$. Then the 3rd Helmholtz condition boils down to$$\frac{\partial G}{\partial \dot x} ~=~ \frac{d}{dt}\, \frac{\partial G}{\partial \ddot x}~.$$If this is not immediately satisfied, one can use the technique of "Jacobi's Last Multiplier", and write $H := \mu(\dot x, x,t)\, G$ which obviously satisfies the EoM. The Helmholtz condition on $H$ says $$\frac{\partial \mu}{\partial \dot x} \, G ~+~ \mu \, \frac{\partial G}{\partial \dot x} ~=~ \frac{d\mu}{dt}~,$$ (since we're assuming $G$ is 1st order in $\ddot x$). Then the idea is to choose $\mu$ to be independent of $\dot x$ and solve what's left to get something like $$\mu ~=~ \exp\left(\int\! \frac{\partial G}{\partial \dot x} \, dt\right) ~.$$

[...] But some relatively elementary way is supposed.

Elementary, yes -- but relying on a very nontrivial theorem about the Helmholtz conditions.

References:

1) Anton Almen's paper: https://jfuchs.hotell.kau.se/kurs/amek/prst/19_heco.pdf
which contains the nontrivial proof, but also works through the 1D harmonic oscillator as an example. Partially, a shorter version of the next reference:

2) Nigam & Banerjee, "A Brief Review of Helmholtz Conditions",
Available as: arxiv:1602.01563

Google gives many references about Helmholtz conditions and the technique of "Jacobi's Last Multiplier".

I hope that helps.

 

[wrobel]

Thanks a lot. That is interesting indeed. I have never heard about the Helmholtz conditions