Is the Emmy Noether Theorem Misunderstood in Space Translation Dynamics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of the Emmy Noether theorem in the context of space translation dynamics, particularly focusing on the implications of Lagrangian mechanics and the conditions under which symmetries lead to conserved quantities. Participants explore the nuances of Lagrangian equivalence and the role of generalized coordinates and velocities.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the assumption that if the Lagrangian does not depend on a generalized coordinate, then the corresponding partial derivative must be zero, suggesting a potential oversight regarding total time derivatives of functions.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to consider more general symmetries beyond translations, citing examples from Newtonian and relativistic mechanics, but this is met with a request to focus specifically on translation symmetries.
  • A response reiterates that a generalized translation is a symmetry if the Lagrangian does not depend on the corresponding generalized coordinate, leading to a conclusion about conserved quantities derived from the Euler-Lagrange equation.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the relationship between two Lagrangians that yield the same dynamics, questioning why the condition involving the partial derivative cannot be interpreted as a total time derivative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement on the interpretation of Lagrangian equivalence and the implications of symmetries in the context of translation dynamics. There is no consensus on the specific conditions under which the partial derivative can be equated to a total time derivative.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of the relationships between Lagrangians, generalized coordinates, and the implications for conserved quantities, indicating that assumptions about symmetry and dependence on variables may not be fully resolved.

matematikuvol
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If we watch some translation in space.

[tex]L(q_i+\delta q_i,\dot{q}_i,t)=L(q_i,\dot{q}_i,t)+\frac{\partial L}{\partial q_i}\delta q_i+...[/tex]

and we say then
[tex]\frac{\partial L}{\partial q_i}=0[/tex]

But we know that lagrangians [tex]L[/tex] and [tex]L'=L+\frac{df}{dt}[/tex] are equivalent. How we know that [tex]\frac{\partial L}{\partial q_i}\delta q_i[/tex] isn't time derivative of some function [tex]f[/tex]?
 
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For more general symmetries than translation symmetries, you need to take into account the possibility that the Lagrangian changes by the total time derivative of a function that is only a function of the generalized coordinates (and perhaps explicitly on time) but not the generalized velocities. An example is invariance under Galileo transformations in Newtonian mechanics (Galileo boosts) or Lorentz boosts in Special Relativity, which both lead to the constant velocity of the center of mass of a closed system of point particles.
 
vanhees71 said:
For more general symmetries than translation symmetries, you need to take into account the possibility that the Lagrangian changes by the total time derivative of a function that is only a function of the generalized coordinates (and perhaps explicitly on time) but not the generalized velocities. An example is invariance under Galileo transformations in Newtonian mechanics (Galileo boosts) or Lorentz boosts in Special Relativity, which both lead to the constant velocity of the center of mass of a closed system of point particles.

I don't want more general symmetries than translation symmetries. I asked my question about invariance under translation symmetries. Can you answered the question about this problem which I asked?
 
But for this problem, you've already given the answer yourself: A generalized translation is a symmetry if the Lagrangian doesn't depend on the corresponding generalized coordinate [itex]q_1[/itex], and then from the Euler-Lagrange equation, you get

[tex]\frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}t} \frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{q}_1} = \frac{\partial L}{\partial q_1}=0,[/tex]

which means that the conserved quantity is given by the canonical momentum of this variable, i.e.

[tex]p_i=\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{q}_1}.[/tex]
 
I think we don't understand each other. My question is. If two lagrangians [tex]L'=L+\frac{df}{dt}[/tex] and [tex]L[/tex] gives us same dynamics. Why can't be that

[tex]\frac{\partial L}{\partial q}\delta q=\frac{df}{dt}[/tex]?
 

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