Physics Notes - Herong's Tutorial Notes - v3.24, by Herong Yang
Hamiltonian in Cartesian Coordinates
This section provides a quick introduction on Hamiltonian for a single object in Cartesian coordinates.
In previous sections, we have discussed Hamiltonian with position, velocity, acceleration and momentum as scalar values, which is valid only if the object is moving in a 1-dimensional straight line.
Now, let's re-define Hamiltonian for a single object moving a 3-dimensional space using Cartesian coordinates.
First the position of an object as a function of time can be expressed as a vector function, r(t):
r(t) = (x(t), y(t), z(t)) or: r = (x, y, z) (H.7) r = (rx, ry, rz) (H.8)
The velocity becomes a vector function of time, v(t):
v = dr/dt = (drx/dt, dry/dt, drz/dt) or: v = r' (H.9) # r' is a shorthand notation of first order derivative
The acceleration becomes a vector function of time, a(t):
a = dv/dt = (dvx/dt, dvy/dt, dvz/dt) = (d2x/dt2, d2y/dt2, d2z/dt2) or: a = v' a = r" # r" is a shorthand notation of second order derivative
The momentum also becomes a vector function of time, p(t):
p = m*v p = m*r'
Hamiltonian as a Function of (r,r')
Now let's look at the Hamiltonian function in Cartesian coordinates. And express it in terms of r and r':
H = T + V (H.1)
The kinetic energy part can be expressed in terms of r'
T = 0.5*m*|r'|2 (H.10)
The potential energy part can be expressed in terms of r:
V = V(r) (H.11)
So the Hamiltonian can be expressed in terms of r and r' as:
H = T + V (H.1) or: H = 0.5*m*|r'|2 + V(r) (H.12) # H.10 and H.11 applied
Hamiltonian as a Function of (r,p)
We can also transform Hamiltonian to a function of position r and momentum p:
H = 0.5*m*|r'|2 + V(r) (H.12) or: H = 0.5*|p|2/m + V(r) (H.13) # since p = m*r'
Table of Contents
Introduction of Frame of Reference
Introduction of Special Relativity
Time Dilation in Special Relativity
Length Contraction in Special Relativity
The Relativity of Simultaneity
Minkowski Spacetime and Diagrams
Hamiltonian on Free Fall Motion
Hamiltonian on Simple Harmonic Motion
Hamiltonian on Simple Pendulum Motion
Relation of Momentum and Hamiltonian
►Hamiltonian in Cartesian Coordinates
Relation of Momentum and Potential Energy
Hamilton Equations in Cartesian Coordinates
Introduction of Generalized Coordinates