Equations of Motion for SU2 Field (Weinberg -Salam?)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the equations of motion from the Lagrangian density for the SU(2) gauge field, represented as ## L = -\frac{1}{2} W^{\mu \nu}_i W_{\mu \nu}^i##. The equations of motion are formulated using the Euler-Lagrange equations, leading to a complex expression involving the antisymmetric tensor ##W^{\mu \nu}_r## and the non-abelian nature of the gauge fields. The participants clarify the antisymmetry of the tensor and the need for commutation relations, emphasizing the importance of the SU(2) generators in the calculations.

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  • Understanding of Lagrangian mechanics and Euler-Lagrange equations
  • Familiarity with non-abelian gauge theories, specifically SU(2)
  • Knowledge of tensor algebra, particularly antisymmetric tensors
  • Comprehension of commutation relations in quantum field theory
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  • Study the derivation of the Euler-Lagrange equations in gauge theories
  • Learn about the properties and applications of antisymmetric tensors in physics
  • Research commutation relations for SU(2) gauge fields and their implications
  • Explore the role of the SU(2) generators in quantum field theory
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The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory, gauge theories, and particle physics, as well as graduate students seeking to deepen their understanding of SU(2) field dynamics.

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So I have the lagrangian density ## L = -\frac{1}{2} W^{\mu \nu}_i W_{\mu \nu}^i## where ##W^{\mu \nu}_i = \partial ^\mu W^\nu_i - \partial ^\nu W^\mu_i + \epsilon_i^{jk}W^\mu_j W^\nu_k## and I want to find the equations of motion.

I have gotten to the stage using the EL equations ##\partial_\sigma \left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial(\partial_\sigma W_\lambda ^r)}\right)-\frac{\partial L}{\partial W_\lambda ^r}=0## that

##\partial_\sigma\left(W^{\sigma \lambda}_r-W^{\lambda \sigma}_r\right) - \frac{1}{2}\epsilon^i_{rk}\left(W_\nu^k W^{\lambda \nu}_i+W^{\lambda \nu}_i W_{\nu}^k-W_\nu^k W^{\nu \lambda}_i - W^{\nu \lambda}_iW_{\nu}^k\right)##

So I am pretty sure I need to use commutation relations to get this stuff to cancel but I don't really know what those relations even are, I know W are non abelian and hence don't commute but I don't know what their commutation relations are or anything so any help would be appreciated. I also don't know if the W tensor is anti symmetric or not but I don't know what's the relation when you swap indices.
 
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Since you have the W_i's, they are supposed to commute, they are just components. What doesn't commute is the W^{\mu} \equiv T_i W^\mu_i. For that reason you may see the antisymmetric tensor written:
W_{\mu \nu} =\partial_\mu W_\nu - \partial_\nu W_\mu - [ W_\mu , W_\nu]
all these here have been contracted with the SU(2) generator T^i. The antisymmetry under \mu \leftrightarrow \nu is straightforward from this form.

The W^{\mu \nu} is antisymmetric; you can test it by changing \mu \nu... you'll get that W^{\mu \nu} = - W^{\nu \mu}. In components you write:
W^{\nu \mu }_i = \partial^\nu W^\mu_i - \partial^\mu W^\nu_i + \epsilon_{ijk} W_j^\nu W_k^\mu
=- ( \partial^\mu W^\nu_i -\partial^\nu W^\mu_i ) + \epsilon_{ikj} W_j^\nu W_k^\mu
=- ( \partial^\mu W^\nu_i -\partial^\nu W^\mu_i ) - \epsilon_{ijk} W_k^\nu W_j^\mu
=- ( \partial^\mu W^\nu_i -\partial^\nu W^\mu_i + \epsilon_{ijk} W^\mu_j W^\nu_k )= - W^{\mu \nu}_i

1st line just wrote what you gave for ##W^{\mu \nu}_i## with just changing the notation of the indices.
2nd line take a - out of the partial derivatives and writting it to a more obvious way, while also renaming the sum indices of k to j and j to k...
3rd line swap those indices using antisymmetry of the epsilon
4th line just put everything in the common overall -, and identifying what's in the parenthesis as the Wmunu.
 
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