Is the Hamilton-Jacobi Equation Enough for Hamiltonian Dynamics?

  • Thread starter Sphinx
  • Start date
In summary, the Hamilton-Jacobi equation is a necessary condition for describing extremal geometry in generalizations of problems from the calculus of variations. It is also a formulation of classical mechanics and is equivalent to other formulations such as Newton's laws of motion, Lagrangian mechanics, and Hamiltonian mechanics. According to a source, the Hamilton-Jacobi equation is not equivalent to the Hamilton equations.
  • #1
Sphinx
8
0
Is Hamilton-Jacobi Equation equivalent to Hamilton equations or it is only a necessary condition ?
Thanks in advance :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
A quick google search finds:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton–Jacobi_equation
In mathematics, the Hamilton–Jacobi equation (HJE) is a necessary condition describing extremal geometry in generalizations of problems from the calculus of variations, and is a special case of the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation.[...]In physics, it is a formulation of classical mechanics, equivalent to other formulations such as Newton's laws of motion[citation needed], Lagrangian mechanics and Hamiltonian mechanics.
Does that answer the question? Or am I missing something here?
 
  • Like
Likes Sphinx
  • #3
Sphinx said:
Is Hamilton-Jacobi Equation equivalent to Hamilton equations
I do not think so please look up the following
http://www.srl.caltech.edu/phys106/p106b01/topic2.pdf
 
  • Like
Likes Sphinx

FAQ: Is the Hamilton-Jacobi Equation Enough for Hamiltonian Dynamics?

What is the Hamilton-Jacobi equation?

The Hamilton-Jacobi equation is a partial differential equation that describes the dynamics of a physical system. It is named after the mathematicians William Rowan Hamilton and Carl Gustav Jacob Jacobi, who independently developed it in the mid-19th century.

What is the significance of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation in physics?

The Hamilton-Jacobi equation plays a crucial role in many areas of physics, including classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and optics. It can be used to derive the equations of motion for a physical system, and it also provides a powerful tool for solving problems involving multiple degrees of freedom.

How does the Hamilton-Jacobi equation differ from other equations of motion?

The Hamilton-Jacobi equation is unique in that it describes the motion of a system in terms of a single function, known as the action function. This function encapsulates all of the information about the system's dynamics, making it a powerful and elegant tool for analyzing physical systems.

Can the Hamilton-Jacobi equation be solved analytically?

In some cases, the Hamilton-Jacobi equation can be solved analytically using specific techniques, such as the method of characteristics. However, in many cases, it is solved numerically using computational methods. The difficulty of analytical solutions depends on the complexity of the system being studied.

How is the Hamilton-Jacobi equation related to the principle of least action?

The Hamilton-Jacobi equation is closely related to the principle of least action, which states that the path taken by a physical system between two points is the one that minimizes the action function. The Hamilton-Jacobi equation provides a mathematical framework for this principle and allows for the calculation of the action function for a given system.

Back
Top