Hamilton’s principle minimizes kinetic energy minus potential energy, establishing that with fixed kinetic energy, it maximizes potential energy. In scenarios where kinetic energy approaches zero, the Lagrangian becomes the negative of potential energy, leading to the conclusion that minimizing the Lagrangian equates to maximizing potential energy. Richard Feynman provides a detailed explanation in Figure 19.6 of his lectures, clarifying the relationship between kinetic energy and potential energy in this context.
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Thank you, however, I don't think he said anything about maximization of PE and its meaning?anuttarasammyak said:Feynmann does a good explanation around Fig 19.3 in https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/II_19.html.
Thanks for pointing it out. Then how should we understand the limit of KE->0, then min(L)=-max(PE)?anuttarasammyak said:Sorry, Fig 19-6 and its around explains it.