Hamilton-Jacobi equation in spherical coordinates

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Hamilton-Jacobi equation in spherical coordinates, specifically addressing the correct formulation of the Hamiltonian. The participant identifies the Hamiltonian as $$ H = \frac{1}{2m} \left[ p_r^2 + p_\theta^2 + p_\phi^2 \right] + U(r, \theta, \phi) $$ and clarifies the kinetic energy expression in spherical coordinates. The participant also provides the definitions for momentum components: $$ p_r = m \dot r $$, $$ p_{\theta} = m r^2 \dot \theta $$, and $$ p_{\phi} = m r^2 \sin^2 \theta \ \dot \phi $$, concluding with an acknowledgment of a missed square in their earlier derivation.

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DrClaude
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I was looking at the Wikipedia entry on the Hamilton-Jacobi equation, and was confounded by the equation at the beginning of the section on spherical coordinates:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton–Jacobi_equation#Spherical_coordinates

Shouldn't the Hamiltonian simply be
$$
H = \frac{1}{2m} \left[ p_r^2 + p_\theta^2 + p_\phi^2 \right] + U(r, \theta, \phi)
$$
?
 
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In spherical coordinates, kinetic energy is $$ T = {m \over 2} \left( v_{r}^2 + v_{\theta}^2 + v_{\phi}^2 \right) = {m \over 2} \left( \dot r ^2 + (r \dot \theta)^2 + (r \sin \theta \ \dot \phi)^2 \right) $$ By definition, $$ p_r = {\partial T \over \partial r} = m \dot r \\ p_{\theta} = {\partial T \over \partial \theta } = m r^2 \dot \theta \\ p_{\phi} = {\partial T \over \partial \phi} = m r^2 \sin^2 \theta \ \dot \phi $$
 
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Thanks a lot! I now realize I missed a square in my derivation :redface:
 

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