Poisson brackets of angular momentum components

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the Poisson brackets of angular momentum components, specifically [M_i, M_j]. The user derives the expression using the formula for Poisson brackets and the angular momentum components defined as M_i = ε_{ijk} q_j p_k. The user encounters confusion regarding the treatment of dummy indices, leading to an incorrect conclusion of [M_i, M_j] = -p_i q_j instead of the correct result [M_i, M_j] = q_i p_j - p_i q_j. The key takeaway is the importance of using distinct dummy indices to avoid confusion in tensor calculations.

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  • Understanding of Poisson brackets in classical mechanics
  • Familiarity with angular momentum components in physics
  • Knowledge of tensor notation and Levi-Civita symbols
  • Proficiency in partial derivatives and their applications in mechanics
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  • Study the properties of Poisson brackets in classical mechanics
  • Learn about the Levi-Civita symbol and its applications in tensor calculus
  • Explore the derivation of angular momentum in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate common pitfalls in index notation and tensor manipulation
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Physicists, mathematicians, and students studying classical mechanics, particularly those focusing on angular momentum and Poisson bracket calculations.

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I want to find [M_i, M_j] Poisson brackets.

$$[M_i, M_j]=\sum_l (\frac{\partial M_i}{\partial q_l}\frac{\partial M_j}{\partial p_l}-\frac{\partial M_i}{\partial p_l}\frac{\partial M_j}{\partial q_l})$$

I know that:

$$M_i=\epsilon _{ijk} q_j p_k$$

$$M_j=\epsilon _{jnm} q_n p_m$$

and so:

$$[M_i, M_j]=\sum_l (\frac{\partial \epsilon _{ijk} q_j p_k}{\partial q_l}\frac{\partial \epsilon _{jnm} q_n p_m}{\partial p_l}-\frac{\partial \epsilon _{ijk} q_j p_k}{\partial p_l}\frac{\partial \epsilon _{jnm} q_n p_m}{\partial q_l})$$

$$= \sum_l \epsilon _{ijk} p_k \delta_{jl} \cdot \epsilon_{jnm} q_n \delta_{ml}- \sum_l \epsilon_{ijk}q_j \delta_{kl} \cdot \epsilon_{jnm} p_m \delta_{nl}$$

Then I have thought that values that nullify deltas don't add any informations in the summations. And so, $$m=l, j=l$$ but so I obtain $$m=j$$. But if $$m=l$$, the second Levi-Civita symbol in the first summation is zero... And if I go on, I obtain $$[M_i, M_j]=-p_iq_j$$ instead of $$[M_i, M_j]=q_ip_j-p_iq_j$$

Where am I wrong? :| Could you say to me how to go on? Thanks a lot!
 
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You have 3 j's in the same term. Make sure your dummy indices (i.e. the ones that are summed over) are different from the variable indices. Use a different letter for each dummy index to avoid confusion.
 
madness said:
You have 3 j's in the same term. Make sure your dummy indices (i.e. the ones that are summed over) are different from the variable indices. Use a different letter for each dummy index to avoid confusion.

Thank you!
 

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