Open Systems in Classical Mechanics

Abstract

Generalized span categories provide a framework for formalizing mathematical models of open systems in classical mechanics. We introduce categories $\mathsf{LagSy}$ and $\mathsf{HamSy}$ that respectively provide a categorical framework for the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian descriptions of open classical mechanical systems. The morphisms of $\mathsf{LagSy}$ and $\mathsf{HamSy}$ correspond to such open systems, and composition of morphisms models the construction of systems from subsystems. The Legendre transformation gives rise to a functor from $\mathsf{LagSy}$ to $\mathsf{HamSy}$ that translates from the Lagrangian to the Hamiltonian perspective.