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Applicability of van Holten's algorithm for symmetries in classical mechanics

Background van Holten's algorithm (see e.g. here and here) is a way of constructing or recognizing dynamical/hidden symmetries in classical mechanics by looking for Killing tensors on the ...
nonreligious's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
99 views

How to interpret the vector fields $F_p(x,u,Du)$ in a Lagrangian optimization problem

Let $\Omega$ be an open bounded subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$ with $C^1$ boundary. Let $$ \begin{matrix} F: \mathbb{R}^n \times \mathbb{R}^N \times \mathbb{R}^{nN} \to \mathbb{R},& \\ (x,z,p) \mapsto F(...
maxematician's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
157 views

Integral expression for the Poisson bracket

I already asked this in the physics forum but without much attention, so I thought it might attract more attention here. Is there an integral expression for the Poisson bracket that can be derived ...
Nicolas Medina Sanchez's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
158 views

Hyperbolic system of PDEs with elliptic-like boundary contions

Let $\Omega_1$ and $\Omega_2$ be (simply connected) domains on $\mathbb{R}^2$, with coordinates $(x,y)$ and $(X,Y)$ respectively. Given a (smooth) function $Z(X,Y)$ such that $Z\left(\partial \Omega_2 ...
Daniel Castro's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
159 views

Nonlinear-PDE arising from flat conformal Chebyshev nets

Consider a flat, simply connected surface endowed with the Riemannian metric $g_0=e^{2\Omega(u,v)}\left(\mathbb{d}^2u +\mathbb{d}^2v \right)$, so that $\Omega(u,v)$ is an arbitrary harmonic function. ...
Daniel Castro's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
222 views

$2\mathrm{d}$ area maximizing short embeddings

Think of a beach ball on an pool of water or sand. Let $\left(\mathcal{M}^2,g\right)$ be a surface homeomorphic to a sphere, endowed with a Riemannian metric $g$, and $\left(\mathcal{N}^2,h\right)$ a ...
Daniel Castro's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
114 views

Why does the solution to pendulum problem with the geometric approach of Jacobi metric does not correspond to the solution with Lagrangian approach? [closed]

When we solve the pendulum problem with EL equation, we get to the differential equation $\ddot{q}+\frac{g}{l}\sin q=0$ but when I apply the substitution $t \rightarrow t\sqrt\frac{g}{l}$ and ...
Federica Sibilla's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
379 views

Which convex bodies roll straight?

Let $K$ be a convex body in $\mathbb{R}^3$. Suppose $K$ is held at some position and orientation on an inclined plane, and released. Let there be sufficient friction so that it rolls without slippage. ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
160 views

Reference for action-angle coordinates [closed]

Does anyone know a good reference to start studying Action-Angle coordinates? Thank you in advance !
NSR's user avatar
  • 97
0 votes
1 answer
210 views

The derivation of thin plate spline interpolation energy function? [closed]

I am trying to derive the "thin plate energy functional". Given a thin plate $z = z(x,y)$, how does one derive easily the energy functional $$\iint_{\mathbb{R}^2} \,\left[\left(\frac{\...
phybrain's user avatar
  • 103
40 votes
9 answers
5k views

Interpretation of the action in classical mechanics

In classical mechanics the dynamics on a manifold $M$ are characterised by the minimisation of a functional $$ \min_{q \in C^\infty(\mathbb{R},M)} \int_{\mathbb{R}}L(q(t),\dot{q}(t))dt, $$ where $L:TM\...
Jannik Pitt's user avatar
  • 1,484
2 votes
0 answers
195 views

How to check conditions for Liouville-Arnold theorem? [closed]

Arnold gives in his book "Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics" on p.272 the following, well known theorem: Let $F_1, \dots, F_n$ be $n$ functions in involution on a symplectic $2n$-...
eriugena's user avatar
  • 679
0 votes
0 answers
181 views

Towards recognizing St. Venant geometrical invariant

Using partial derivative notation we can express Gauss curvature $K$ in cartesian coordinates: $$\quad p= \partial w/ \partial x, q= \partial w/ \partial y; r=\frac{\partial ^2w}{{\partial {x} ^2} },...
Narasimham's user avatar
10 votes
0 answers
658 views

Determinant as a Hamiltonian

Are there two symplectic structures $\omega_1, \omega_2$ on $M_{2n}(\mathbb{R})$ such that the function $Det:M_{2n}(\mathbb{R})\to \mathbb{R}$ is completely integrable with respect to $\omega_{1}$...
Ali Taghavi's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
60 views

Optimal contour shape for variational problem over captured area

Let's assume we have a continuous and finite scalar function $f(x,y)$ over the $xy$ plane ($\mathbb{R}^{2}$) and this function is to be integrated over a bounded area (surface) $A\subset\mathbb{R}^{2}...
user135626's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
141 views

Formulation of contour variational problem

I am having difficulty formulating a problem, which involves optimizing a contour shape, into a well-posed variational form that would give a reasonable answer. Within a bounded region on the $xy$ ...
user135626's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
329 views

Poisson structures on non-smooth manifolds with singularities

It's very known how we can describe a Poisson structure on a manifold $M$, where $M$ is a smooth manifold, but what about a Non-smooth manifold with singularities? In section $(2)$ of the paper The ...
user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
479 views

Question about theorem in Arnold's book on action-angles variables

I have a question about the action-angle theorem on p. 283 in Arnold's textbook on classical mechanics.(I added the link to this book in the last part of this question) If you don't have the book or ...
QuantumTheory's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
355 views

Local symplectomorphisms become global ones?

It is widely known that a local diffeomorphism is not necessarily a global diffeomosphism and so on. Now, I stumbled over the question whether in some particular cases, as I will describe below, ...
QuantumTheory's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
1k views

Proof of Arnold-Liouville theorem in classical mechanics [closed]

I am currently reading Arnold's book "Mathematical Methods of classical mechanics" on page 278 and I don't see through his arguments there at a point. Especially, I am talking about the part that ...
Zlatan12's user avatar
  • 181
7 votes
0 answers
162 views

Kinematics of rolling knots

It is well known that there are trefoil knots without tritangent planes, and with 3d printers one can print these beautiful objects and make them roll on planes. (An example:https://www.youtube.com/...
Pedro Namtior's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
396 views

Weinstein's local classification of Lagrangian foliations

In the paper "Symplectic manifolds and their Lagrangian submanifolds", Weinstein showed that locally all the Lagrangian foliations are symplectomorhic to the fiber foliation of a cotangent bundle. I ...
Piojo's user avatar
  • 783
6 votes
1 answer
544 views

Is there a sideways-walking rolling convex body?

Let $K$ be a solid, homogenous convex body in $\mathbb{R}^3$. Place $K$ on an inclined plane, and let it roll down the plane, under some reasonable assumptions of friction between $K$ and the plane, ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
3k views

Oloid and sphericon: rolling develops entire surface

Wikipedia says that, "The oloid is one of the only known objects, along with some members of the sphericon family, that while rolling, develops its entire surface." Below are illustrations of ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
-1 votes
2 answers
1k views

Regarding understanding differential geometry [closed]

I am essentially looking for a book that would hold my hand through basic concepts to more complicated ones. I am coming from physics. I am looking to make some connections with Classical mechanics ...
user avatar
11 votes
5 answers
640 views

To what extent does trajectory determine gravity sources?

Suppose one has in-hand an accurate time-space trajectory in $\mathbb{R}^3$ of a (small) body, say an asteroid or satellite—effectively a point. To what extent does this trajectory determine the ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
14 votes
1 answer
1k views

Egg-ovoid rolling down an inclined plane

I am seeking a mathematical analysis of an egg-ovoid rolling down an inclined plane, for pedagogical reasons. It is well-known folk lore that the shape of an egg prevents it from rolling away from ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

1-jet bundle on vector bundle with metric connection

Background I'm working to simplify the Lagrangian formalism of classical field theory for the situation of a vector bundle with a bundle metric and a metric connection. Particularly, I want to specify ...
Tobias Ohrmann's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

References for the Poincaré-Cartan forms

Hello, everybody. I'm looking for some reference about the Poincaré-Cartan form, I do not know how it is defined, I just know that it is used in Lagrangian mechanics but I have not found any ...
Richard Bonne's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
559 views

Generalizing a square wheel to a body rolling on a surface

A square wheel rolling on a catenary road maintains the wheel center at a fixed height, a well-known construction previously discussed on MO (e.g., "Generalizing square wheels rolling on inverted ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
903 views

"Rolling Geodesics": Designing a $k$-putt green

I am interested in what might be called rolling geodesics, paths of physical particles confined to a surface in $\mathbb{R}^3$ under certain force conditions. Here I will pose a specific (but ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
20 votes
4 answers
3k views

What is the role of contact geometry in the hamiltonian mechanics?

Let us assume someone is interested in the study of Hamiltonian mechanics. What are good examples to illustrate him of the usefulness of contact geometry in this context? On one hand the Hamiltonian ...
agt's user avatar
  • 4,306
16 votes
5 answers
1k views

G-bundles in classical mechanics

The paper Geometry of the Prytz Planimeter described a mechanical instrument whose configuration space is an $S^1$-bundle with an $SU(1,1)$ action. That paper goes on to study the holonomies of ...
8 votes
1 answer
787 views

The rain hull and the rain ridge

Rain falls steadily on an island, a 2-manifold $M$, which you may assume, as you prefer, is: (a) smooth, or (b) a PL-manifold, or perhaps even (c) a triangulated irregular network (TIN). After a time,...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
19 votes
6 answers
3k views

reference for Noether's theorem

What is a good reference for a geometric version of Noether's theorem about Lagrangians, symmetries and conserved currents?
user4's user avatar
  • 921
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

Calculating the geodesic equation for a particular set of phase-space coordinates

Let $g$ be a Riemannian metric on the $d$-dimensional flat space $\mathbb R^d$, and consider the usual Lagrangian $$L(x, \dot x) = \tfrac 1 2 g_{ij}(x) \dot x^i \dot x^j.$$ Let $\hat g := \sqrt g$ ...
Tom LaGatta's user avatar
  • 8,532
21 votes
1 answer
1k views

Which convex bodies roll along closed geodesics?

An ellipsoid could be rolled (without slippage) on a horizontal plane so that its point of contact traces out a closed geodesic on its surface:           ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
815 views

Rolling a convex body: Geodesics vs. rolling curves

What are the curves of contact on a convex body $B$ rolling down an inclined plane? Assume $B$ is smooth, and there is sufficient friction to prevent slippage. Certainly, one can develop a geodesic ...
Joseph O'Rourke's user avatar