Hamiltonian flow question

1. Jun 5, 2013

1670frank

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

At what time does the particle reach infinity given that H(p,x)=(1/2)p^2 -(1/2)x^4. And initial values are x(0)=1 and p(0)=1

2. Relevant equations

The hamiltonian equations i believe are given by the partial derivatives let d mean partial derivative so x'=dH/dp and p'=-dH/dx
3. The attempt at a solution well so far i have that x'=p and p'=2x^3 but at this point, im confused over how to impose the initial values... This is my attempt. By seperation of variables, dx/dt=p so (1/p)x=t+ c by integration and now i impose initial value of x(0)=1which gives me c=1/p so i get t=(1/p)x-(1/p) and for dp/dt i got t=(1/2x^3)p - (1/2x^3) . At this point im very confused what to do next or if im doing this right in the first place... How can i tell when the particle reaches infinity with two times??

Last edited: Jun 5, 2013
2. Jun 5, 2013

Ray Vickson

You wrote H(p,x)=(1/2)x^2 -(1/2)x^4. Did you mean H(p,x) = (1/2)p^2 - (1/2)x^4?

3. Jun 5, 2013

1670frank

Yes thanks for that :)

4. Jun 5, 2013

haruspex

p' = 2x3?
Doesn't look valid to me. Try looking at x''.

5. Jun 5, 2013

Ray Vickson

If I were dong this question I would avoid the dynamical equations and use instead conservation of energy (i.e., constant H).

6. Jun 5, 2013

1670frank

Im just confused on how to use two initial conditions . Ray Vickson , what do you mean by the conservation of energy method?

7. Jun 6, 2013

Ray Vickson

Because of the form of the Hamiltonian, it is constant over time; that is, ${\cal{H}}(t) \equiv H(p(t),x(t))$ is constant. That means that for any t we have
$$p^2(t) - x^4(t) = p^2(0) - x^4(0) = 0.$$ Since the mass is 1 (from the form of H) we have
$$p(t) = \frac{d x(t)}{dt},$$
so we get immediately a first-order DE for $x(t)$.

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