Liouville equation
type: Item
instance of: mathematical expression
defining formula: d ρ d t = ∂ ρ ∂ t + <munderover> ∑ i = 1 n </munderover> ( ∂ ρ ∂ q i q ˙ i + ∂ ρ ∂ p i p ˙ i )
in defining formula: H
in defining formula: ρ
in defining formula: p
in defining formula: q
in defining formula: t
Wikidata QID: Q20180666
community: MathModDB
MaRDI profile type: MaRDI formula profile
description: Consider a Hamiltonian dynamical system with canonical coordinates and conjugate momenta. Then the phase space distribution determines the probability that the system will be found in the infinitesimal phase space volume.
description: Note the similarity with the quantum Liouville (von Neumann) equation where the Poisson brackets {.,.} are replaced by commutator brackets [.,.]
named after: Joseph Liouville
assumes: classical approximation
related URL: Liouville's theorem (Hamiltonian)
described at URL: Liouville's equation
description: partial differential equation for the that time rate of change of density of points in phase space