Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2013
Publication Title
American Journal of Physics
Volume
81
Issue
4
Abstract
We present a conundrum that results from the imprecise use of notation for partial derivatives. Taking an example from mechanics, we show that lack of proper care in re presenting partial derivatives in Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations paradoxically leads to two different values for the time derivative of the canonical momentum. This problem also exists in other areas of physics,such as thermodynamics.
Identifier
10.1119/1.4769255
Recommended Citation
Gangopadhyaya, Asim, and Gordon Ramsey. “Unintended Consequences of Imprecise Notation: An Example from Mechanics.” American Journal of Physics 81, no. 4 (April 1, 2013): 313–15. doi:10.1119/1.4769255.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2013 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in Gangopadhyaya, Asim, and Gordon Ramsey. “Unintended Consequences of Imprecise Notation: An Example from Mechanics.” American Journal of Physics 81, no. 4 (April 1, 2013): 313–15. doi:10.1119/1.4769255 and may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.4769255.
Comments
Copyright © 2013 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in Gangopadhyaya, Asim, and Gordon Ramsey. “Unintended Consequences of Imprecise Notation: An Example from Mechanics.” American Journal of Physics 81, no. 4 (April 1, 2013): 313–15. doi:10.1119/1.4769255 and may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.4769255.