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TERM PAPER-2016

RELATIVISTIC FORMULATION
of
LAGRANGIAN & HAMILTONIAN

Presented by
Jyoti prakash
M.sc -1st sem
Sps

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Motivation
As we know that Newtonian or non-relativistic physics has validity only at
very low speed as compared to speed of light. And fails near speed of light
also treat space and time as independent entity.

After formulation of Special theory of Relativity (Relativistic Physics) by Albert

Einstein (1905) due to conflict between Maxwell theory of Electrodynamics and
Galilean transformation, he showed that space and time act as a single entity
called space-time, which is a very stunning idea and gives a new perspective to
see the reality of physical world .which motivates people to Formulate relativistic
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian approach.

Action of Relativistic Particle

Consider from special relativity the Lorentz invariant of space-time can be
given by metric of space-time using 4-vector.

= + + +

Where proper time is equal to .Of course, if we simply take the integral of
proper ti e, the e ill ha e t the orre t u its for a a tio . Suppose instead
that we integrate , which has units of length. To get units of action we need a
multiplicative factor with units of mass and velocity. This factor should be Lorentz
invariant of our guess . For mass we will use rest mass of object and for velocity
we will use universal invariant speed of light .If we have used velocity of object
then action will be spoiled. Therefore one guess action is integral of (- )
minus sign because a dimensionless coefficient is missing. Therefore we can claim
that

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Also, =

Then we can write action as,

Now comparing with = we can obtained

2
= 2

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Consider a particle of rest mass , moving with relativistic generalized velocity

= = + + and having generalized momentum . = / is called
velocity parameter. Spatial component of momentum can be given as,

.
L m0 x
px = .
=
x v2
1-
c2
.
L m0 y
py = .
=
y v2
1-
c2
.
L m0 z
pz = .
=
z v2
1-
c2

Now solving for from any of above equation gives

0
=

2

Solving using substitution method . Let = implies that = putting

in above equation we get,

2
=> = 2

Under condition of non-relativistic ( this equation must yield the desired

result.

= = +

Here is extra term but it does t affe t Lagrangian, since adding or

subtracting constant term yields same equation of motion.

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Where is constant of integration and can be treated as potential energy of

ody i order to e o siste t ith Ne to s 2nd law.

Thus form of Lagrangian can be justified by obtaining Lagrangian equation of

motion which are given by

=0

= and

0
(- ) 2
+ =0
2

= =

= generalized force.

For constructing Hamiltonian with help of

= = + +
0
For value of in terms of = we get
2
2

0 2
= + + )+
2 2
2

0 2 2
= + 2
2 2
2 2

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2
0 2 +0 2 2

+
2
2

0 2
= +
2
2

From equation of Special relativity we know that;

4
= +
Or,

0 2 4 4
2
= +
2

2
Substituting this value of
2
= 2 2 +1
2 0

=> = +

And corresponding equation of motion are

= =

( + )

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= = =

Application: Motion of particle under a constant force

Let us consider a constant force act on a body of mass on which

direction of constant force is axis.
Then can be given as;
2
= 2
Where a constant magnitude of force per unit mass
The equation of motion :

=0


( 2
)=

Now integrating which leads to
+
2
= , is constant of integration

Squaring both side then solving for we get

+
=
2+ + 2

+
. =
2+ + 2

Again integrating

+
=
0 + +
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= [ + + + ]

If particle start from origin = and = = then above equation
can be written as :

2
4
+
=

Which is equation of hyperbola in plane .

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