Module manager: Dr Vincent Caudrelier
Email: v.caudrelier@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2023/24
MATH2650 Calculus of variations or equivalent.
| MATH2650 | Calculus of Variations |
| MATH3355 | Hamiltonian Systems |
This module is approved as an Elective
The Hamiltonian formulation of dynamics is the mathematically most beautiful form of mechanics and (in fact) the stepping stone to quantum mechanics. Hamiltonian systems are conservative dynamical systems with a very interesting algebraic and geometric structure in the guise of the Poisson bracket. Hamilton's equations are invariant under a very wide class of transformation (the canonical transformations), and this leads to a number of powerful solution techniques, developed in the nineteenth century. The subject received a boost in the late twentieth century, with the development of integrable systems, which gave many new examples and techniques, and emphasized the fundamental role of symmetries.
1. Derive Lagrangian and Hamiltonian functions and write Hamilton's equations for simple mechanical systems.
2. Use symmetries and Noether’s theorem to derive constants of motion.
3. Calculate Poisson brackets and first integrals.
4. Use generating functions for canonical transformations and solve simple cases of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation.
5. Use Lie’s theorem on commuting vector fields and Liouville's Theorem on complete integrability.
6. Identify degenerate Lagrangian and calculate Dirac brackets. Use symmetries to reduce the phase space.
The aim of this module is to develop the theory of Hamiltonian systems, Poisson brackets and canonical transformations. After discussing some general algebraic and geometric properties, emphasis will be on complete integrability, developing a number of techniques for solving Hamilton's equations.
1. Review of Lagrangian dynamics. Hamilton's principle. Noether’s theorem. Legendre's transformation and the canonical equations of motion.
2. Introduction to Hamiltonian dynamics. Simple geometric properties.
Poisson brackets. First integrals and symmetries. Noether’s theorem in Hamiltonian form.
3. Canonical transformations and generating functions. The Hamilton-Jacobi equation. Separation of variables. Complete integrability.
4. Hamiltonian formalism for non standard Lagrangians (higher order or degenerate). Dirac brackets. Introduction to moment maps and reduction of phase space.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 44 | 1 | 44 |
| Private study hours | 156 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Studying and revising of course material.
Completing of assignments and assessments.
Regular problems sheets.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Open Book exam | 3.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 5/12/2023
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team