Andurien
- 5
- 0
Homework Statement
I have to find the hamiltonian for a diatomic molecule, where the molecule can only rotate and translate and we supose that potencial energy doesn't change.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Okey so I used Spherical coordinate system such as the kinetic energy of the molecule is
T=\frac{1}{2}(m\dot{r}^2+I(\dot{\phi}^2+I(\dot{θ})^2)=L
To find the Hamiltonian I've considered:
P_r=m\dot{r} \Rightarrow \dot{r}=\frac{P_r}{m}
And so on for the other momentum so the final solution for the hamiltonian is:
H=\frac{1}{2}(\frac{P_r^2}{m}+\frac{P_\phi^2}{I}+ \frac{P_θ^2}{I})
BUT the correct solution given by my professor is:
H=\frac{1}{2}(\frac{P_r^2}{m}+\frac{P_\phi^2}{I \sin^2\theta}+ \frac{P_θ^2}{I})
So I don't know why is there a sin^2\theta factor.
Last edited: