- #1
r4nd0m
- 96
- 1
When we seek the extreaml value of the functional [tex]\Phi(\gamma) = \int_{t_0}^{t_1} L(x(t),\dot{x}(t),t)dt[/tex] where x can be taken from the entire E^n then we come to the well-known Lagrange equations.
Now when we are given a constraint, that [tex]x \in M[/tex], where M is a differentiable manifold and when the coordinates on this manifold are [tex]q_i[/tex], then the Lagrange equations look "almost" the same, only the coordinate x is "replaced" by q:
[tex]\frac{d}{dt}\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{q}} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial q} = 0[/tex]
So now to the question:
I understand how we obtain the Lagrange equations without constraints, but I can't find any proof of the equations with constraints. How is this done? Is the proof difficult (assuming only some basic knowledge of differential geometry).
Now when we are given a constraint, that [tex]x \in M[/tex], where M is a differentiable manifold and when the coordinates on this manifold are [tex]q_i[/tex], then the Lagrange equations look "almost" the same, only the coordinate x is "replaced" by q:
[tex]\frac{d}{dt}\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{q}} - \frac{\partial L}{\partial q} = 0[/tex]
So now to the question:
I understand how we obtain the Lagrange equations without constraints, but I can't find any proof of the equations with constraints. How is this done? Is the proof difficult (assuming only some basic knowledge of differential geometry).