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In the derivation of the Euler-Lagrange equation in Peskin and Schroeder, p.15, we have:

$$\delta S = \int d⁴x \left[ \frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi}\delta \phi -\partial_\mu \left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial (\partial_\mu) \phi}\right)\delta \phi + \partial_\mu \left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial (\partial_\mu \phi)} \delta \phi \right)\right]. \tag{2.2} $$

They argue that the last term can be turned into a surface integral, and since the initial and final field configurations are given, $\delta \phi$ is zero at the temporal beginning and end of this region. If we restrict our considerations to deformations $\delta \phi$ that vanish on the spatial boundary of our region as well, then the surface term is zero.

So I guess they used the divergence theorem on the last term, but why doesn't this argument apply to the second term as well?

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  • $\begingroup$ The second term is not of a divergence form because of $\delta\phi$ is not constant. $\endgroup$
    – Gec
    Jan 21, 2020 at 19:51
  • $\begingroup$ Ah, I see. Thank you. $\endgroup$
    – fosheimdet
    Jan 21, 2020 at 20:55

1 Answer 1

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The last term is a total divergence. The second one is not.

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