Euler-Lagrange equation in vector notation

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SUMMARY

The Euler-Lagrange equation in vector notation can be expressed as \nabla.(\nabla_{\frac{\partial \phi}{x_i}}L) - \frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi} = 0. This formulation arises from the Lagrangian L=(\phi,\nabla\phi,x,y,z) and incorporates the use of vector calculus identities. The discussion clarifies that the conversion to vector notation is valid and provides a structured approach to understanding the equation's components.

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I read in hand and finch (analytical mechanics) that if you assume you have a lagrangian:

[tex]L=(\phi,\nabla\phi,x,y,z)[/tex]

Then what does the euler lagrange equation look like in vector notation. I know that if you have a function with more than 1 independent variable then the euler-lagrange equation looks like:

[tex]\frac{\delta L}{\delta\phi}=\frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi}-\frac{\partial}{\partial x}\left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial\left(\frac{\partial\phi}{\partial x}\right)}\right)-\frac{\partial}{\partial y}\left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial\left(\frac{\partial\phi}{\partial y}\right)}\right)-\frac{\partial}{\partial z}\left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial\left(\frac{\partial\phi}{\partial z}\right)}\right)=0[/tex]

How do I convert this into vector notation. The hint in the question says to use the following equations:

[tex]\nabla(\vec{F}.G)=\vec{F}.\nabla G+G\nabla.\vec{F}[/tex]
[tex]\int\int\int_V\nabla.\vec{F}\,dx\,dy\,dz=\int\int_S\vec{F}.\,d\vec{S}=0[/tex]

This equation does work but I'm not sure if this is the form of the euler lagrange equation in vector notation.

I don't know how to use them. I did get this though:

[tex]\frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi}-\nabla.(\nabla_{\frac{\partial \phi}{x_i}}L)[/tex]
 
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= 0Where the gradient is in vector notation and the subscripts denote the components of the gradient. The equation above is the form of the Euler-Lagrange equation in vector notation. You can also express it as:\nabla.(\nabla_{\frac{\partial \phi}{x_i}}L) - \frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi} = 0
 

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