INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH International Peer Reviewed & Refereed Journals, Open Access Journal ISSN Approved Journal No: 2455-2631 | Impact factor: 8.15 | ESTD Year: 2016
open access , Peer-reviewed, and Refereed Journals, Impact factor 8.15
Numerical Verification and Computational Illustration of the Principle of Least Action in Classical Mechanics
Authors Name:
Devesh Kayal
Unique Id:
IJSDR2310085
Published In:
Volume 8 Issue 10, October-2023
Abstract:
The principle of least action has served as a fundamental pillar of classical mechanics since its inception in the mid-1700s. Based on the Lagrangian formalism, the principle dictates that the physical trajectory of an object is the one that minimizes (or extremizes) its action functional. The action is a mathematical entity defined as the integration of the system’s Lagrangian over time, where the Lagrangian encapsulates the dynamics of the system as a function of the position and the velocity of the object in question. Newton's second law of motion can be derived from this principle, which is why the Lagrangian formalism and the principle of least action are considered more fundamental. While mathematical proofs and derivations of the principle can be found in the literature, we opted to validate it through a numerical approach as this approach will aid in clarifying its physical significance. This method involves creating a Python program that generates random trajectories for an object moving freely between an initial and final point in a given potential. Using numerical calculus techniques, the program calculates the action integral of the system. For specific examples, we demonstrate that among the generated trajectories, the one that follows the principle of least action indeed matches the solution obtained from solving Newton's equation of motion, with some numerical analysis errors. Ultimately, our project attempts to describe the importance of Lagrangian formalism in mechanics over Newtonian formalism by rudimentary scrutiny of the principle of least action involving computational techniques.
"Numerical Verification and Computational Illustration of the Principle of Least Action in Classical Mechanics", International Journal of Science & Engineering Development Research (www.ijsdr.org), ISSN:2455-2631, Vol.8, Issue 10, page no.499 - 509, October-2023, Available :http://www.ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDR2310085.pdf
Downloads:
000338720
Publication Details:
Published Paper ID: IJSDR2310085
Registration ID:208768
Published In: Volume 8 Issue 10, October-2023
DOI (Digital Object Identifier):
Page No: 499 - 509
Publisher: IJSDR | www.ijsdr.org
ISSN Number: 2455-2631
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