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14: Lie Analysis

  • Page ID
    19033
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    Lie analysis is a systematic procedure for identifying continuous symmetries of an equation. If the equation possesses continuous symmetries, we may be able to find related conservation laws. Some equations possess multiple symmetries and conservation laws while other equations do not contain any symmetries or conservation laws. Using this procedure with a known generalized path, we may be able to derive conserved quantities even if we do not know how to choose the generalized potential at first. Some systems might even contain multiple conserved quantities, and this procedure will give us a complete set of conserved quantities.

    • 14.1: Prelude to Lie Analysis
      This page discusses the application of calculus of variations in energy conversion, emphasizing the derived equations of motion related to conservation laws. It introduces Lie analysis to identify symmetries, aiding in the determination of conserved quantities.
    • 14.2: Types of Symmetries
      This page discusses the classification of symmetries in equations into discrete (e.g., time reversal, parity) and continuous. Discrete symmetries maintain solutions under transformations, while continuous ones involve infinitesimal changes. The chapter distinguishes between regular continuous symmetries, affecting both independent and dependent variables, and dynamical symmetries that include derivatives.
    • 14.4: Derivation of the Infinitesimal Generators
      This page covers the identification of infinitesimal generators for continuous symmetries in differential equations, focusing on the symmetry condition for equations of the form \(F(t, y, \dot{y}, \ldots) = 0\). It discusses the process of prolongation, examples including the Thomas-Fermi equation, and the analysis of related equations to derive specific generators such as \(U = t\partial_t - 3y\partial_y\).
    • 14.5: Invariants
      This page covers Noether's theorem, which connects continuous symmetries in physics to conservation laws. It highlights the theorem's derivation and significance in Lagrangian mechanics, alongside a formalism for energy-related invariants. Additionally, it demonstrates how to derive invariants using specific differential equations through examples like the pendulum equation.
    • 14.6: Summary
      This page introduces a method for identifying continuous symmetries of equations, linking them to invariants via Noether's theorem. It applies calculus of variations to derive equations of motion from a Lagrangian modeling energy conversion processes.
    • 14.7: Problems
      This page discusses discrete symmetry transformations in differential equations, focusing on time reversal, parity, and charge conjugation. It examines the invariance of the wave and Thomas Fermi equations under these transformations. The section covers the derivation of infinitesimal generators for equations of motion, highlighting their importance in symmetries and invariants according to Noether's theorem.


    This page titled 14: Lie Analysis is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Andrea M. Mitofsky via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.