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### Why do we derive more fundamental quantum theories from less fundamental classical theories? [duplicate]

In almost every derivation of a quantum theory (quantum mechanics or quantum field theory), we start with a classical theory using classical equations and quantize it (by imposing certain constraints ...
28 views

### How general is the Lagrangian formulation? [duplicate]

Haven't seriously tackled this problem myself because it's been awhile since I've done any hard mathematics and I'm a bit rusty. However, you needn't spare the math in your answers. I've been ...
104 views

### Why are action principles so powerful and widely applicable? [duplicate]

I've been trying to wrap my head around Lagrangian mechanics and Lagrangians in general, and I've found it difficult. After some thinking, I believe that the issue I have is with action principles. ...
95 views

### What are the other possibilities for a Lorentz invariant interaction?

In Weinberg's QFT book, Chapter 3, he shows that if the interaction term $V(t)$ is of the form $$V(t)=\int \mathcal{H}(t,\mathbf{x})d^3\mathbf{x},$$ where the operators $\mathcal{H}(x)$ are scalars ...
106 views

### Which class of Dynamical Systems is governed by Lagrangian Dynamics? [duplicate]

Lagrangian formalism is a technique using which we can obtain the time evolution of a dynamical system. Given a dynamical system, can we say whether or not we can write down a Lagrangian (solving it ...
897 views

### Is the Lagrangian approach essentially a 'theory of everything'?

From learning about the Lagrangian lately it seems that that it can underlie so many phenomena that it must be the unifying concept that underpins all physics. I often hear that physicists are ...
287 views

### How do I know how many classical limits (if any) a given quantum theory is going to have?

I was reading this, where it is mentioned that some quantum theories can have no classical limit or even more than one classical limit. A possible example might be quantum spin, which doesn't have a ...
42 views

### Must there exist a Lagrangian for any 2nd order ordinary derivative equation? [duplicate]

We know if there exist a Lagrangian of some ODE, then it must exist many equivalent Lagrangian. My question: Then must there exist a Lagrangian for any 2nd order ODE? If not, do we have some ...
146 views

### Is there an action for every physical law?

Given an action, I can get the differential equation governing the evolution of the system by applying the principle of least action. Does it work the other way around? Given any differential ...
196 views

### Are field theories special?

Our best descriptions of the microscopic world, that satisfy many fundamental requirements (as we know them today), are field theories. Is there something fundamental about field interactions, or are ...
216 views

### When can I apply Lagrangian mechanics?

I am trying to understand Lagrangian mechanics. I am having trouble capturing all of the nuances in one gulp. I can see the equations, but not necessarily the semantics behind such equations. I ...
102 views

### Why should physical theories always have a Lagrangian formalism? [duplicate]

I've often heard that every physical theory has some kind of Lagrangian formalism, or a formalism in terms of a principle of stationary action. The Standard Model has one, General Relativity has one, ...
55 views

### Does the principle of stationary action always work? [duplicate]

Give some Lagrangian we use the principle of stationary action to find the desired euqations of motion for something (e.g. a field). A lot of modern physics seems to be based on the principle of ...