Classifaction of equilibrium points for a Hamiltonian System

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around classifying equilibrium points for a Hamiltonian system defined by the equations \(\frac{dx}{dt}=x\cos{xy}\) and \(\frac{dy}{dt}=-y\cos{xy}\). Participants are tasked with identifying equilibrium points, sketching level sets of the Hamiltonian function \(H(x,y)=\sin{xy}\), and analyzing the phase portrait of the system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the identification of equilibrium points, noting (0,0) and \((\pm\sqrt{\pi/2},\pm\sqrt{\pi/2})\) as candidates. There is uncertainty regarding the nature of the second set of equilibria, particularly concerning complex roots and their implications for the phase portrait. Some participants express confusion about the behavior observed in their graphical representations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the equilibrium points and their stability. Some have attempted to compute the Jacobian matrix and analyze eigenvalues, while others question the accuracy of their calculations and the role of approximations in their results. No consensus has been reached regarding the classification of the equilibrium points.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the use of certain computational tools or methods. There is an emphasis on understanding the behavior of the system rather than arriving at a definitive solution.

rmiller70015
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Homework Statement


For the system:
<br /> \frac{dx}{dt}=x\cos{xy} <br /> \: \:<br /> \frac{dy}{dt}=-y\cos{xy}
(a) is Hamiltonian with the function:
<br /> H(x,y)=\sin{xy}
(b) Sketch the level sets of H, and
(c) sketch the phase portrait of the system. Include a description of all equilibrium points and any saddle connections.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


\frac{\partial H}{\partial y}=y\cos{xy}=-g \\<br /> \frac{\partial H}{\partial x}=x\cos{xy}=f
So the function is Hamiltonian. I see that the equilibrium points are (0,0) and (±√π/2,±√π/2) by inspection. The problem I have is that the second set of equilibria have complex roots, but I don't see any of that behavior when I graph the phase portrait with pplane.
 
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rmiller70015 said:

Homework Statement


For the system:
<br /> \frac{dx}{dt}=x\cos{xy}<br /> \: \:<br /> \frac{dy}{dt}=-y\cos{xy}
(a) is Hamiltonian with the function:
<br /> H(x,y)=\sin{xy}
(b) Sketch the level sets of H, and
(c) sketch the phase portrait of the system. Include a description of all equilibrium points and any saddle connections.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


\frac{\partial H}{\partial y}=y\cos{xy}=-g \\<br /> \frac{\partial H}{\partial x}=x\cos{xy}=f
So the function is Hamiltonian. I see that the equilibrium points are (0,0) and (±√π/2,±√π/2) by inspection.
The equation ##\cos(xy) = 0## has many solutions of the form ##xy = (2k + 1)\frac{\pi}2##, with k an integer. The point you show is just one equilibrium point.
rmiller70015 said:
The problem I have is that the second set of equilibria have complex roots
How are you getting this (the complex roots)?
rmiller70015 said:
, but I don't see any of that behavior when I graph the phase portrait with pplane.
 
I didn't approximate so I may have made a mistake typing it into my calculator. I'll approximate and see if I get something else. Maybe that's the problem.
 
rmiller70015 said:
I didn't approximate so I may have made a mistake typing it into my calculator.
I used plain old algebra, so I don't see how using approximations would be helpful.
rmiller70015 said:
I'll approximate and see if I get something else. Maybe that's the problem.
 
I get a Jacobian matrix of:
<br /> \begin{bmatrix}<br /> \cos{xy}-y\sin{xy} &amp; -x^2\sin{xy} \\<br /> xy\sin{xy} &amp; xy\sin{xy}-\cos{xy}<br /> \end{bmatrix}<br />
So then my matrix for that second point becomes:
<br /> \begin{bmatrix}<br /> -\sqrt{\frac{\pi}{2}} &amp; -\frac{\pi}{2} \\<br /> \frac{\pi}{2} &amp; \frac{\pi}{2}<br /> \end{bmatrix}<br />
Then using the trace and determinant I get:
<br /> \lambda^2-\Bigg(\frac{\pi}{2}-\sqrt{\frac{\pi}{2}}\Bigg)\lambda-\Bigg(\Big(\frac{\pi}{2}\Big)^\frac{3}{2}-\Big(\frac{\pi}{2}\Big)^2\Bigg)
So then the quadradic would be:
<br /> \frac{\Bigg(\frac{\pi}{2}-\sqrt{\frac{\pi}{2}}\Bigg)\pm\sqrt{\Bigg(\frac{\pi}{2}-\sqrt{\frac{\pi}{2}}\Bigg)^2+4\Bigg(\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)^\frac{3}{2}-\big(\frac{\pi}{2}\big)^2\Bigg)}}{2}

That is why I wanted to approximate and when I do, I still get a spiral, but this time a source. I used 1.51 as an approximation for π/2 and 1.25 for√π/2 then my approximation for b in the quadradic was 0.32 and c was 0.50. I hope I'm not completely missing something here.
 
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