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I'm reading a book which states that:

for each generator of a global symmetry transformation, there is a current $j^{\mu}_{a}$ which, when evaluated on a classical solution of the equations of motion $\phi_{cl}$, is conserved. I.e. $\partial_{\mu}j^{\mu}_{a}\vert_{\phi=\phi_{cl}} =0 $

I get the general principle, but I'm uncertain about the bit I have made italics. Can anyone shed some light on this?

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It means $\phi_{cl}$ satisfies Euler-Lagrange equation. –  Jia Yiyang Feb 8 '13 at 14:23

2 Answers 2

up vote 1 down vote accepted

1) The word classical in this context means $\hbar=0$.

2) In the context of an action principle, the Euler-Lagrange equations

$$ \frac{\delta S}{\delta\phi^{\alpha}}~\approx~0 $$

are often referred to as the (classical) equations of motion (eom), cf. comment by Jia Yiyang. Here the $\approx$ symbol means equality modulo eom.

Let on-shell (off-shell) refer to whether eom are satisfied (not necessarily satisfied), respectively.

3) In the context of a global continuous (off-shell) symmetry of an action, Noether's (first) theorem implies an off-shell Noether identity

$$d_{\mu} J^{\mu} ~\equiv~ - \frac{\delta S}{\delta\phi^{\alpha}} Y_0^{\alpha},$$

where $J^{\mu}$ is the full Noether current, and $Y_0^{\alpha}$ is a (vertical) symmetry generator.

This leads to an on-shell conservation law

$$d_{\mu} J^{\mu}~\approx~0.$$

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The classical equation of motion can be find solving the Euler-Lagrange equation for the Lagrangian of the system $L=L(q,\dot{q})$, then EL equation states $$\frac{\partial L}{\partial q_i}-\frac{\text{d}}{\text{d}t}\frac{\partial L}{\partial\dot{q}_i},\text{ }i=1,\dots,n.$$ The conserved current $j_a^\mu$ come from the fact that if a system has a symmetry then something linked with the symmetry is kept by the system. If a system show a time symmetry then the Energy must be conserved, if a system show a traslational symmetry then linear momentum must be conserved and if a system has a rotational symmetry then angolar momentum must be conserved.

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It seems to me that the question here is being asked in the context of a classical field theory. In this case, if the field theory action is written in terms of a Lagrangian density, then the EL equations are eq. 3.91 in these notes: pa.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/files/dhoker%20lecture%20notes/… –  joshphysics Feb 8 '13 at 16:20

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