Yes, these all refer to the same concept.

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SUMMARY

Conjugate momentum, canonical momentum, and generalized momentum are synonymous terms in classical mechanics, defined as the partial derivative of the Lagrangian with respect to the time derivative of a generalized coordinate. The equation representing this relationship is p_j = ∂L/∂q̇_j. It is crucial to note that when the potential is velocity-dependent, this generalized momentum diverges from the mechanical momentum of the system.

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ehrenfest
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[SOLVED] classical mechanics

Homework Statement


is it true that conjugate momentum, canonical momentum, and generalized momentum all mean the same thing (the partial of the Lagrangian with respect to the time derivative of some generalized coordinate)?



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The Attempt at a Solution

 
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ehrenfest said:

Homework Statement


is it true that conjugate momentum, canonical momentum, and generalized momentum all mean the same thing (the partial of the Lagrangian with respect to the time derivative of some generalized coordinate)?

Yeah.

[tex]p_j = \frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{q_j}}[/tex]

is referred to as generalized momentum, canonical momentum or conjugate momentum.

Also, if the potential is velocity dependent, this generalized momentum will be different from the mechanical momentum of the system.
 

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