Conserved Momenta

If the Hamiltonian is independent of one of the coordinates ( symmetry), then the second Hamilton's equation implies that the conjugate momentum is conserved.

\bgroup\color{black}$\displaystyle \dot{p}_i=-{\partial H\over\partial q_i }=0 $\egroup

This usually means very simple (constant velocity) motion in this coordinate, reducing the dimensionality of the problem to be solved.



Jim Branson 2012-10-21