Lagrangian for fields AND particles?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on constructing a Lagrangian that incorporates both interacting fields and particles, emphasizing the need for a unified approach rather than treating them separately. The proposed action includes terms for both electromagnetic fields and dynamic sources, specifically represented as: -m ∫ dτ √(-gμνμν) + q ∫ dx'4 ∫ dτ δ4(x' - x(τ)) (dxμ(τ)/dτ) Aμ - (1/4) ∫ d4x Fαβ Fαβ. The discussion concludes with a request for guidance on deriving equations of motion using the Euler-Lagrange equations for this mixed system.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lagrangian mechanics
  • Familiarity with electromagnetic field theory
  • Knowledge of the Euler-Lagrange equations
  • Basic concepts of action principles in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of equations of motion from a Lagrangian involving both fields and particles
  • Learn about the application of the Euler-Lagrange equations in mixed systems
  • Explore the role of delta functions in field theory
  • Investigate the implications of the proposed action on physical systems
USEFUL FOR

The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, graduate students in physics, and researchers interested in advanced topics in field theory and Lagrangian mechanics.

pellman
Messages
683
Reaction score
6
In general what does a Lagrangian for a system consisting of interacting fields and particles look like?

It can't be, for example,

[tex]L=\sum{\frac{1}{2}mv_j^2+A(x_j)\inner v_j}[/tex]

That would be for a system of particles in a fixed, i.e. "background", field. I'm interested in how we can mix particles and fields in Lagrangian mechanics. I know how to write down, as above, the Lagrangian for particles influenced by a field. And I know how to write down a Lagrangian (density) for a field with fixed (continuum) sources. But what does a Lagrangian (density?) that governs both fields and discrete sources look like?

No need to lay out the most general case. Just a simple example will suffice.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Ok. No replies. I can take this now to the next step myself. Then maybe someone else can help from there.

Supposedly, the full action for both EM fields and (dynamic) sources is

[tex]-m \int d\tau \sqrt{- g_{\mu \nu} \dot{x}^\mu \dot{x}^\nu} + q \int dx'^4 \int d\tau ~ \delta^4(x'-x(\tau)) \frac{dx^\mu (\tau)}{d\tau} A_\mu - \frac{1}{4} \int d^4 x F^{\alpha \beta} F_{\alpha \beta}[/tex]

See this thread: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=222066

Ok. Now - how do we get the equations of motion from this action? How do we apply the Euler-Lagrange equations to an action of mixed particles and fields?

References to helpful source material would be much appreciated.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
7K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K