Talk:Stationary-action principle

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Almost entirely an overlap with history article.[edit]

At present this article is largely a repeat of History of variational principles in physics.

I think we should move all of the history into the history article and build up content about the Concept and Applications.

I think we should also consider renaming the article "principle of least action" to match the physics literature. Johnjbarton (talk) 22:48, 13 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Variational principle links this page but calls it "action principle". Maybe that is a better title. Johnjbarton (talk) 23:04, 13 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Taylor has a number of peer reviewed, educationally focused articles on 'least action' with copies on his web site:

https://www.eftaylor.com/leastaction.html

I think we should build the Concept content around his work. Johnjbarton (talk) 23:13, 13 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

I WP:BOLDLY copied the history content in the the History article and replaced it with a summary. The result is a fresh slate. Johnjbarton (talk) 03:00, 14 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Hamilton's principle[edit]

Do we have a naming issue? We should be careful in how we refer to this article in the lead, as there is also an article called Hamilton's principle. ReyHahn (talk) 17:50, 14 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Of course there is!

I think we should merge these. Hamilton's principle is one form of least-action, so I think placing that content in this article as a section named Hamilton's principle with a redirect would make this article better and provide context for the topic of Hamilton's principle. Johnjbarton (talk) 01:21, 15 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Ok now I understand the difference, based on Goldstein. These are different variational principles. Johnjbarton (talk) 04:23, 15 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

What is the difference? Or how many "main" principles should we consider here?--ReyHahn (talk) 10:49, 15 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Three differences: 1) the allowable variations vs fixed parameters, 2) the action itself as related to total energy, 3) the meaning of the result. Maupertuis principle has a section which attempts to explain it.

I believe there are three "main" principles: Maupertuis' principle of least action, Hamilton's principle, and the quantum least action. The quantum one may be formally the same as one of the other two but should carry as much space because the interpretation is so different.

My new proposal is a page named "Action principles" to sort this. I'll start a draft then let you know. Johnjbarton (talk) 15:50, 15 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Proposal to move this article to Principle of least action.[edit]

Please see: Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Physics#Proposal_to_move_Stationary-action_principle_to_"Principle_of_least_action" Johnjbarton (talk) 01:16, 15 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

I will propose a different plan in the Official way. Johnjbarton (talk) 16:57, 21 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

δ must be explained.[edit]

δ is mentioned as something simple and obvious. However, it is a very complex issue that must be elucidated using mathematical expressions and possibly examples. Voproshatel (talk) 11:38, 15 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]