Time dependent canonical transformation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the topic of canonical transformations in the context of Hamiltonian mechanics. The original poster presents a transformation involving momentum and coordinates, questioning the validity of a second transformation that includes a time-dependent scaling factor.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand why the addition of a time transformation affects the canonical nature of the transformation. They question the conditions under which the Poisson bracket can be used to verify canonical transformations.
  • Some participants explore the implications of scaling time and its relationship to momentum, raising questions about consistency in units and transformations.
  • Others suggest that mutual changes in scale may not be compatible under certain conditions, specifically when the scaling factor is not equal to ±1.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the transformations and their implications. There is a focus on clarifying the conditions for canonical transformations and the role of the Poisson bracket, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of time-dependent transformations and their compatibility with canonical forms. There is an acknowledgment of potential confusion regarding the application of the Poisson bracket in these contexts.

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Homework Statement
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Relevant Equations
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THe question is pretty simple. I was doing an exercise, in which $$p = \lambda P, Q = \lambda q$$ is a canonical transformation.

We can check it by $$\{Q,P \} = 1$$

But, if we add $$t' = \lambda ^2 t$$, the question says that the transformation is not canonical anymore.

I am a little confused, since the equations of motion remain the same.

So two question:

Why the second transformation is not canonical? And,
When can we use ##\{Q,P\}=1## to check if it is canonical? SInce in the second transformation we still have the same Poisson bracket, but it is not canonical anymore, i am afraid i have been using it unconsciously many times and by coincidence being right.
 
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Herculi said:
Homework Statement:: .
Relevant Equations:: .

But, if we add t′=λ2t, the question says that the transformation is not canonical anymore.
t' = \lambda^2 t seems t=1 second corresponds to t'=##\lambda^2## second say one new second. Should p=1 kg m/s correspond to p'=##\lambda^2## kg m / new second ?
 
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anuttarasammyak said:
t' = \lambda^2 t seems t=1 second corresponds to t'=##\lambda^2## second say one new second. Should p=1 kg m/s correspond to p'=##\lambda^2## kg m / new second ?
I am afraid i didn't get what you mean.
 
Mutual changes in scale of coordinate and momentum, i.e.
P=\frac{p}{\lambda},Q=\lambda q
keep {P,Q}=1 but I am afraid
P=\frac{p}{\lambda}, Q=\lambda q, T(=t')=\lambda^2 t
are not compatible except ##\lambda = \pm 1##.
 
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