Unpublished Paper
The first variational formula, the phase space of solutions, and the Ostrogradsky formalism
(2024)
Abstract
We consider Lagrangians for classical mechanics which depend upon an arbitrary number of time derivatives of the configuration variables. From the boundary term in the first variation of the Lagrangian we derive the Ostrogradsky formulas which define the Hamiltonian formulation of mechanical systems.
Keywords
- Lagrangian,
- Hamiltonian,
- Symplectic,
- Ostrogradsky,
- Mechanics
Disciplines
Publication Date
April, 2024
Citation Information
Matthew Pontius, Charles G Torre and Drew Watson. "The first variational formula, the phase space of solutions, and the Ostrogradsky formalism" (2024) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/charles_torre/99/