A Simple Example

Another simple example: An illustration of my point

that the Hamiltonian formalism doesnt help much in
solving mechanics problems. In fact, one is usually
led directly back to the SAME 2
nd
order differential
equations of motion youd get from Lagranges
formalism (or even Newtons formalism!)
A particle in 1 dimension (x) subject to conservative
force. A potential V(x) exists.
Newton: F - (dV/dx) = ma = mx
Hamiltonian: H = (p
2
)(2m)
-1
+ V(x)
Lagrangian: L = ()m(x)
2
V(x)
Newton: F - (dV/dx) = ma = mx (1)
Hamiltonian: H = (p
2
)(2m)
-1
+ V(x)
Lagrangian: L = ()m(x)
2
V(x)
The Lagrangian formalism first:
(d/dt)[(L/x)] - (L/x) = 0 (d/dt)[mx] + (dV/dx) = 0
Or: mx = - (dV/dx) The SAME as (1) !
The Hamiltonian formalism: x = (H/p), p = - (H/x)
x = (H/p) = (p/m) p = mx (a)
(The definition of p in terms of x! No new information!)
p = - (H/x) = - (dV/dx) F (b) (Newtons 2
nd
Law!)
Take the time derivative of (a) & equate to (b).
mx = -(dV/dx) The same as (1)! Note the extra steps required!
Marions Example 7.11
See the figure: Use the Hamiltonian method to find the
equations of motion of a particle, mass m, constrained to move
on the surface of a cylinder defined by x
2
+ y
2
= R
2
& subject
to a force directed towards the origin & proportional to the
distance of the particle from the origin: F = - kr
Potential: V = ()kr
2

= ()k(x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
) = ()k(R
2
+ z
2
)
KE: T = ()mv
2

= ()m(R
2

2
+ z
2
) (R = const)
Lagrangian:
L = T - V
= ()m(R
2

2
+ z
2
) - ()k(R
2
+ z
2
)
Conjugate Momenta to & z:
p

= (L/) = mR
2

p
z
= (L/z) = mz
is cyclic so p

= mR
2
= constant
Hamiltonian: H(z,p

,p
z
)
H = T + V = (p

)
2
(2mR
2
)
-1
+ (p
z
2
)(2m)
-1
+ ()k(R
2
+ z
2
)
Hamiltons Equations of Motion:
= (H/p

) = (p

)(mR
2
)
-1
(1)
p

= - (H/) = 0 (2)
z = (H/p
z
) = (p
z
)(m)
-1
(3)
p
z
= - (H/z) = - kz (4)
(1) & (2) along with previous result:
p

= mR
2
= constant
(angular momentum around
the z axis is conserved)
(3): the definition of p
z
= mz
(no new information!)
Taking the time derivative of (3) & equating the result to (4)
gives (same as Lagrange Eqtns!): z + (
0
)
2
z = 0; (
0
)
2
(k/m)
The motion in the z direction is simple harmonic motion!
Marions Example 7.12
Using the Hamiltonian method, find the equations of motion
for a spherical pendulum, mass m, length b. (Figure). (PE U)
U= 0