Lagrangian depend upon upon my choice of generalized coordinates?

AI Thread Summary
The Lagrangian does depend on the choice of generalized coordinates, as demonstrated with a particle mass m in one dimension under a potential V=V(x). When shifting coordinates from x to y=x+c, the potential changes to V(y-c), indicating that V(x) and V(y-c) are generally different. Despite this difference in the Lagrangian, the resulting equations of motion remain equivalent. Selecting appropriate coordinates can simplify the process of solving these equations. Thus, while the Lagrangian varies with coordinate choice, the physical outcomes remain consistent.
pardesi
Messages
337
Reaction score
0
does the lagrangian depend upon upon my choice of generalized coordinates
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The Lagrangian does depend on your generalised coordinates.

Consider a particle mass m in one dimension, in a potential V=V(x).
Then
L=T-V= \frac{1}{2}m\dot{x}^{2} - V(x)

If instead of using x we used some shifted coordinate y=x+c, where c is some constant, then V=V(y-c)

L=T-V=\frac{1}{2}m\dot{y}^{2} - V(y-c)

Now notice that in general V(x) and V(y-c) are different (for example if V(x)=x).

However the equations of motion you derive from them will be equivalent. (Often choosing a clever set of coordinates makes the equations of motion easier to solve).
 
Thread 'Gauss' law seems to imply instantaneous electric field'
Imagine a charged sphere at the origin connected through an open switch to a vertical grounded wire. We wish to find an expression for the horizontal component of the electric field at a distance ##\mathbf{r}## from the sphere as it discharges. By using the Lorenz gauge condition: $$\nabla \cdot \mathbf{A} + \frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial t}=0\tag{1}$$ we find the following retarded solutions to the Maxwell equations If we assume that...
I passed a motorcycle on the highway going the opposite direction. I know I was doing 125/km/h. I estimated that the frequency of his motor dropped by an entire octave, so that's a doubling of the wavelength. My intuition is telling me that's extremely unlikely. I can't actually calculate how fast he was going with just that information, can I? It seems to me, I have to know the absolute frequency of one of those tones, either shifted up or down or unshifted, yes? I tried to mimic the...
Back
Top