Energy of Scalar Field: Evaluating Rubakov's Expression

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the evaluation of Rubakov's expression for the energy of a scalar field, specifically the term \(\frac{\delta L}{\delta \dot{\phi}(\vec{x})}\). The expression for energy is derived from the Lagrangian \(L\), which is defined as \(L=\int d^3x \left(\frac{1}{2}\dot{\phi}^2 - \frac{1}{2}\partial_i\phi\partial_i\phi - \frac{m^2}{2}\phi^2\right)\). The confusion arises from the distinction between the Lagrangian and the Lagrangian density, with the integral in the energy expression suggesting that \(L\) should actually refer to the Lagrangian density \(\mathcal{L}\). This clarification resolves the apparent inconsistency in units and notation.

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Homework Statement


My question is just about a small mathematical detail, but I'll give some context anyways.
(From Rubakov Sec. 2.2)
An expression for energy is given by
E= \int{}d^3x\frac{\delta{}L}{\delta{}\dot{\phi}(\vec{x})}\dot{\phi}(\vec{x}) - L,<br />
where L is the Lagrangian,
<br /> L=\int{}d^3{}x(\frac{1}{2}\dot{\phi}^2-\frac{1}{2}\partial_i\phi\partial_i\phi-\frac{m^2}{2}\phi^2).<br />
To derive the expression for energy, Rubakov says that
<br /> \frac{\delta{}L}{\delta{}\dot{\phi}(\vec{x})}=\dot{\phi}(\vec{x}).<br />
What I want to know is, simply, how does he get this expression for
<br /> \frac{\delta{}L}{\delta{}\dot{\phi}(\vec{x})}<br />?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


If I evaluate the expression, I just get
<br /> \delta{}L=\int{}d^3x(\dot{\phi}).<br />

Where'd the integral go in Rubakov's expression?
 
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I may be wrong, but I believe what is happening is a confusion between the Lagrangian and the Lagrangian density. Look at the expression for the energy, it has an integral in it, so probably the ##L## which appears in there should actually be the Lagrangian density ##\mathcal{L}## defined by ##L=\int d^3x \mathcal{L}##
 
Ah, that would make a lot of sense (and fix the weird unit problem). Maybe there's a tiny typo in the text.
 
A lot of field theory texts refer to the Lagrangian density as simply the "Lagrangian", so the language might be confusing. Usually the notation is used so that the Lagrangian density is in a calligraphic font though.
 

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