Understanding the SI units of the Euler–Lagrange equation terms

euler-lagrange-equationunit-of-measure

Page 88 of No-Nonsense Classical Mechanics states the Euler-Lagrange equation as follows:

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Questions: I'm having trouble understanding just what the statement means.

  1. Are $\frac{\partial L}{\partial q}$ and $\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{q}}$ directional derivatives?

  2. What are the SI units of $\frac{\partial L}{\partial q}$, and won't they differ from $\frac{d}{dt} \left( \frac{\partial L}{\partial q} \right)$ due to the $\frac{d}{dt}$? If the units differ between these two terms, doesn't this equation "fail to make sense"?

Best Answer

Let's suppose the units of $q$ are are $\text{u}$, which stands for "user units."

The units of $\frac{\partial L}{\partial q}$ are $\text{J}\text{u}^{-1}$ (Joules per user unit.)

The units of $\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot q}$ are Joules per (user units per second) which is $\text{J}\text{u}^{-1}\text{s}$. Hence the units of $\frac{d}{dt}\left(\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot q}\right)$ are $\text{J}\text{u}^{-1}$.

You could think of them as directional derivatives, but I think it is more helpful just to think of them as partial derivatives.