EL Equations for the modified electromagnetic field Lagrangian

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the derivation of the Euler-Lagrange equations for a modified electromagnetic field Lagrangian, specifically the Lagrangian defined as \(\mathcal{L}_{\xi} = \mathcal{L}_{0} + \frac{\lambda}{2}(\partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma})^2\). The user successfully derives the equation \(\Box A^{\nu} - (1 + \lambda) \partial^{\nu}(\partial_{\mu} A^{\mu}) = 0\) but seeks clarification on obtaining the term \(\lambda \partial^{\nu} A^{\mu}\). A helpful response indicates that the correct term is \(-\partial_{\mu}(\lambda \eta^{\mu\nu}(\partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma}))\), leading to the desired form of the Euler-Lagrange equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lagrangian mechanics and the Euler-Lagrange equations.
  • Familiarity with electromagnetic field theory, specifically the formulation of Lagrangians.
  • Knowledge of tensor calculus, particularly the use of indices and metric tensors.
  • Proficiency in manipulating partial derivatives and their applications in field theory.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Euler-Lagrange equations in the context of field theory.
  • Explore the implications of adding terms to the Lagrangian, such as \(\frac{\lambda}{2}(\partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma})^2\).
  • Learn about the role of the metric tensor \(\eta^{\mu\nu}\) in field equations.
  • Investigate the physical significance of the modified electromagnetic field equations derived from the Lagrangian.
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Physicists, particularly those specializing in theoretical physics and field theory, as well as graduate students studying advanced topics in electromagnetism and Lagrangian mechanics.

Irrational
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Hi,

I'm trying to work through something and it should be quite simple but somehow I've gotten a bit confused.

I've worked through the Euler Lagrange equations for the lagrangian:

<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \mathcal{L}_{0} &amp;= -\frac{1}{4}(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})(\partial^{\mu}A^{\nu}) \\<br /> &amp;= \frac{1}{4}F_{\mu\nu}F^{\mu\nu}<br /> \end{align*}<br />

getting:

\Box A_{\nu} - \partial^{\nu}\partial_{\mu}A^{\mu} = 0

I'm ok with this.

Then considering the modified lagrangian:

\mathcal{L}_{\xi} = \mathcal{L}_{0} + \frac{\lambda}{2}(\partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma})^2

I'm trying to work out the EL equation components and as part of one of these calculations, I've to calculate:

<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} \left[ \frac{\lambda}{2} (\partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma})^2 \right] <br /> <br /> &amp;= \frac{\lambda}{2} \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma} ) ( \partial_{\rho}A^{\rho} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp;= \frac{\lambda}{2} \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} ) ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} \eta^{\rho \beta} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\rho \beta} \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} ) ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\rho \beta} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} ) \left( \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \right) + \left( \frac{\partial}{\partial(\partial_{\mu}A_{\nu})} ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} ) \right) ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\rho \beta} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} ) \delta^{\mu}_{\rho} \delta^{\nu}_{\beta} + \delta^{\mu}_{\sigma} \delta^{\nu}_{\alpha} ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\rho \beta} ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} ) \delta^{\mu}_{\rho} \delta^{\nu}_{\beta}<br /> + <br /> \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\rho \beta} \delta^{\mu}_{\sigma} \delta^{\nu}_{\alpha} ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\sigma \alpha} \eta^{\mu \nu} ( \partial_{\sigma}A_{\alpha} )<br /> + <br /> \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\mu \nu} \eta^{\rho \beta} ( \partial_{\rho}A_{\beta} ) \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \frac{\lambda}{2} \eta^{\mu \nu} \left[ ( \partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma} )<br /> + <br /> ( \partial_{\rho}A^{\rho} ) \right] \\<br /> <br /> &amp; = \lambda \eta^{\mu \nu} ( \partial_{\sigma}A^{\sigma} ) \\<br /> <br /> \end{align*}<br />

Now I was hoping to get:

<br /> \lambda \partial^{\nu} A^{\mu}<br />

as ultimately I need the EL equations to give me:

<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \frac{\partial \mathcal{L}_{\xi}}{\partial A_{\nu}} - \partial_{\mu} \left( \frac{\partial \mathcal{L}_{\xi}}{\partial (\partial_{\mu} A_{\nu})} \right)<br /> &amp;=\Box A^{\nu} - \partial^{\nu} ( \partial_{\mu} A^{\mu} ) - \lambda \partial^{\nu}(\partial_{\mu} A^{\mu}) \\<br /> &amp;= \Box A^{\nu} - ( 1 + \lambda ) \partial^{\nu} ( \partial_{\mu} A^{\mu} ) \\<br /> &amp;= 0<br /> \end{align*}<br />

Can anyone show me where I've gone wrong? I didn't stick this in the homework section as it's not homework. I'm just trying to work through the through missing steps from the text I'm reading.

Thanks in advance
 
Last edited:
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edit... now I'm finished stating the question.
 
Last edited:
Irrational, You've got exactly what you need. :smile: Well, up to a minus sign anyway. You've got λ ημν(∂σAσ). So plug this into the Euler-Lagrange equation:
-∂μ(λ ημν(∂σAσ)) = -λ ∂ν(∂σAσ) = -λ ∂ν(∂μAμ)
 
you have no idea how thick i feel right now. thanks for filling in the gap.
 

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