Least Action
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Contents
Full Title
Least Action is used with variational calculus to determine the least costly path to a given goal.
Context
Typically Least Action is a metric to determine the least energetic path of a particle or wave in physics.
The Principle
The principle of least action originates in the idea that, if nature has a purpose, it should follow a minimum or critical path. This simple principle, and its variants and generalizations, applies to optics, mechanics, electromagnetism, relativity, and quantum mechanics, and provides an essential guide to understanding the beauty of physics.[1]
Computation
Landauers' Principle[2]
Brachistochrone
the curve between two points that in the shortest time by a body moving under an external force without friction; the curve of quickest descent.
Biology
References
- ↑ Alberto Rojo and Anthony Bloch, The Principle of Least Action - History and Physics Cambridge UP (2018-04) ISBN: 9780521869027
- ↑ Charles H. Bennett, Notes on Landauer's principle, Reversible Computation and Maxwell's Demon. Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics volume=34 issue=3 pp. 501–510 (2003) http://www.cs.princeton.edu/courses/archive/fall06/cos576/papers/bennett03.pdf DOI 10.1016/S1355-2198(03)00039-X
Other Material
- See wiki page on the Eventful Universe
- See the wiki page on Feynman Least Action Thesis for the application of Least Action to Quantum Mechanics
