Tarea 5

Se entrega el Viernes 27 de Octubre

1. It has been previously noted that the total time derivative of a fun-
ction of qi and t can be added to the Lagrangian without changing the
equations of motion (tarea 3).What does such an addition do to the
canonical momenta and the Hamiltonian? Show that the equations of
motion in terms of the new Hamiltonian reduce to the original Hamil-
tons equations of motion.

2. A particle in a uniform gravitational field is constrained to the surface

of a sphere, centered at the origin, with a radius r(t) which is a given
function of time. Obtain the Hamiltonian and the canonical equations.
Discuss energy conservation. Is the Hamiltonian the total energy?

3. Consider a particle of mass m moving in two dimensions, subject to a

force F~ = kxx + K y, where k and K are positive constants. Write
down the Hamiltonian and Hamiltons equations, using x and y as
generalized coordinates. Solve the latter and describe de motion.

4. A particle of mass m and electric charge e moves in a plane under

the influence of a central force potential V (r) and a constant uniform
magnetic field B,~ perpendicular to the plane, generated by a static
vector potential

~ = 1B
A ~ ~r (1)
2
Find the Hamiltonian using coordinates in the observers inertial sys-
tem.