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For example, given a set of generalized coordinates, the variables canonically conjugate are the generalized momenta. This doubles the number of variables, but makes differential equations first order. The Hamiltonian is a particularly ubiquitous quantity in quantum mechanics (see Hamiltonian (quantum mechanics)).
Fermi problem. In physics or engineering education, a Fermi problem (or Fermi quiz, Fermi question, Fermi estimate ), also known as a order-of-magnitude problem (or order-of-magnitude estimate, order estimation ), is an estimation problem designed to teach dimensional analysis or approximation of extreme scientific calculations.
In physics, specifically classical mechanics, the three-body problem involves taking the initial positions and velocities (or momenta) of three point masses that orbit each other in space and calculating their subsequent trajectories using Newton's laws of motion and Newton's law of universal gravitation. [ 1]
Newton's first law expresses the principle of inertia: the natural behavior of a body is to move in a straight line at constant speed. A body's motion preserves the status quo, but external forces can perturb this. The modern understanding of Newton's first law is that no inertial observer is privileged over any other.
The first general equation of motion developed was Newton's second law of motion. In its most general form it states the rate of change of momentum p = p(t) = mv(t) of an object equals the force F = F(x(t), v(t), t) acting on it, [ 13]: 1112. The force in the equation is not the force the object exerts.
Lagrange multiplier. In mathematical optimization, the method of Lagrange multipliers is a strategy for finding the local maxima and minima of a function subject to equation constraints (i.e., subject to the condition that one or more equations have to be satisfied exactly by the chosen values of the variables ). [ 1]
Euler's three-body problem is to describe the motion of a particle under the influence of two centers that attract the particle with central forces that decrease with distance as an inverse-square law, such as Newtonian gravity or Coulomb's law. Examples of Euler's problem include an electron moving in the electric field of two nuclei, such as ...
The curve of fastest descent is not a straight or polygonal line (blue) but a cycloid (red).. In physics and mathematics, a brachistochrone curve (from Ancient Greek βράχιστος χρόνος (brákhistos khrónos) 'shortest time'), [1] or curve of fastest descent, is the one lying on the plane between a point A and a lower point B, where B is not directly below A, on which a bead slides ...