Geometry Of Constrained Dynamical Systems

A lively, varied and topical presentation of this branch of theoretical physics.

Introduction to Dynamical Systems and Geometric Mechanics provides a comprehensive tour of two fields that are intimately entwined: dynamical systems is the study of the behavior of physical systems that may be described by a set of nonlinear first-order ordinary differential equations in Euclidean space, whereas geometric mechanics explore similar systems that instead evolve on differentiable manifolds. The first part discusses the linearization and stability of trajectories and fixed points, invariant manifold theory, periodic orbits, Poincaré maps, Floquet theory, the Poincaré-Bendixson theorem, bifurcations, and chaos. The second part of the book begins with a self-contained chapter on differential geometry that introduces notions of manifolds, mappings, vector fields, the Jacobi-Lie bracket, and differential forms.

1. Nonholonomically constrained motions. 1.1. Newton's equations. 1.2. Constraints. 1.3. Lagrange-d'Alembert equations. 1.4. Lagrange derivative. 1.5. Hamilton-d'Alembert equations. 1.6. Distributional Hamiltonian formulation. 1.7. Almost Poisson brackets. 1.8. Momenta and momentum equation. 1.9. Projection principle. 1.10. Accessible sets. 1.11. Constants of motion. 1.12. Notes -- 2. Group actions and orbit spaces. 2.1. Group actions. 2.2. Orbit spaces. 2.3. Isotropy and orbit types. 2.4. Smooth structure on an orbit space. 2.5. Subcartesian spaces. 2.6. Stratification of the orbit space by orbit types. 2.7. Derivations and vector fields on a differential space. 2.8. Vector fields on a stratified differential space. 2.9. Vector fields on an orbit space. 2.10. Tangent objects to an orbit space. 2.11. Notes -- 3. Symmetry and reduction. 3.1. Dynamical systems with symmetry. 3.2. Nonholonomic singular reduction. 3.3. Nonholonomic regular reduction. 3.4. Chaplygin systems. 3.5. Orbit types and reduction. 3.6. Conservation laws. 3.7. Lifted actions and the momentum equation. 3.8. Notes -- 4. Reconstruction, relative equilibria and relative periodic orbits. 4.1. Reconstruction. 4.2. Relative equilibria. 4.3. Relative periodic orbits. 4.4. Notes -- 5. Carathéodory's sleigh. 5.1. Basic set up. 5.2. Equations of motion. 5.3. Reduction of the E(2) symmetry. 5.4. Motion on the E(2) reduced phase space. 5.5. Reconstruction. 5.6. Notes -- 6. Convex rolling rigid body. 6.1. Basic set up. 6.2. Unconstrained motion. 6.3. Constraint distribution. 6.4. Constrained equations of motion. 6.5. Reduction of the translational [symbol] symmetry. 6.6. Reduction of E(2) symmetry. 6.7. Body of revolution. 6.8. Notes -- 7. The rolling disk. 7.1. General set up. 7.2. Reduction of the E(2) x S[symbol] symmetry. 7.3. Reconstruction. 7.4. Relative equilibria. 7.5. A potential function on an interval. 7.6. Scaling. 7.7. Solutions of the rescaled Chaplygin equations. 7.8. Bifurcations of a vertical disk. 7.9. The global geometry of the degeneracy locus. 7.10. Falling flat. 7.11. Near falling flat. 7.12. The bifurcation diagram. 7.13. The integral map. 7.14. Constant energy slices. 7.15. The spatial rotational shift. 7.16. Notes.

This book introduces a practical approach to the modelling and computation of real-world systems. Multibody dynamics, planar and spatial modelling, and numerical methods are all pursued to obtain information about the behaviour of various dynamical systems. Each study presents the method of modelling and the ensuing differential equations governing the system behaviour. Integration of the equations yields results which are carefully discussed and which indicate how useful information may be obtained from the study. The studies include planar mechanisms, heavy equipment, automobile crash simulation and a spatial planetary system example. Research students, scientists and engineers will appreciate the practical approach taken in this book.

For too many students, mathematics consists of facts in a vacuum, to be memorized because the instructor says so, and to be forgotten when the course of study is completed. In this all-too-common scenario, young learners often miss the chance to develop skills-specifically, reasoning skills-that can serve them for a lifetime. The elegant pages of Teaching Mathematical Reasoning in Secondary School Classrooms propose a more positive solution by presenting a reasoning- and discussion-based approach to teaching mathematics, emphasizing the connections between ideas, or why math works. The teachers whose work forms the basis of the book create a powerful record of methods, interactions, and decisions (including dealing with challenges and impasses) involving this elusive topic. And because this approach shifts the locus of authority from the instructor to mathematics itself, students gain a system of knowledge that they can apply not only to discrete tasks relating to numbers, but also to the larger world of people and the humanities. A sampling of the topics covered: Whole-class discussion methods for teaching mathematics reasoning. Learning mathematical reasoning through tasks. Teaching mathematics using the five strands. Classroom strategies for promoting mathematical reasoning. Maximizing student contributions in the classroom. Overcoming student resistance to mathematical conversations. Teaching Mathematical Reasoning in Secondary School Classrooms makes a wealth of cutting-edge strategies available to mathematics teachers and teacher educators. This book is an invaluable resource for researchers in mathematics and curriculum reform and of great interest to teacher educators and teachers.

Dynamical Systems and Microphysics: Geometry and Mechanics contains the proceedings of the Second International Seminar on Mathematical Theory of Dynamical Systems and Microphysics held at the International Center for Mechanical Sciences in Udine, Italy on September 1-11, 1981. Contributors explore the geometry and mechanics of dynamical systems and microphysics and cover topics ranging from Lagrangian submanifolds and optimal control theory to Hamiltonian mechanics, linear dynamical systems, and the quantum theory of measurement. This volume is organized into six sections encompassing 30 chapters and begins with an introduction to geometric structures, mechanics, and general relativity. It considers an approach to quantum mechanics through deformation of the symplectic structure, giving a striking insight into the correspondence principle. The chapters that follow focus on the gauge invariance of the Einstein field, group treatment of the space of orbits in the Kepler problem, and stable configurations in nonlinear problems arising from physics. This book is intended for researchers and graduate students in theoretical physics, mechanics, control and system theory, and mathematics. It will also be profitably read by philosophers of science and, to some extent, by persons who have a keen interest in basic questions of contemporary mechanics and physics and some background in the physical and mathematical sciences.

This book introduces a practical approach to the modelling and computation of real-world systems. Multibody dynamics, planar and spatial modelling, and numerical methods are all pursued to obtain information about the behaviour of various dynamical systems. Each study presents the method of modelling and the ensuing differential equations governing the system behaviour. Integration of the equations yields results which are carefully discussed and which indicate how useful information may be obtained from the study. The studies include planar mechanisms, heavy equipment, automobile crash simulation and a spatial planetary system example. Research students, scientists and engineers will appreciate the practical approach taken in this book. Contents: OverviewPlanar ModellingNumerical MethodsPlanar Multibody SystemsOff-Highway Track VehicleAutomobile Crash SystemSpatial ModellingSpatial Planetary SystemConclusions and Future Directions Readership: Graduates, upper level undergraduates and researchers in mechanical engineering and mathematical modeling. Keywords:Dynamics;Modelling;Scientific Computation;Simulation;Multibody Systems;Differential Equations;Multi-Body Dynamics;Numerical Integration;Differential Algebraic Equations;DAE;Constrained Dynamics;Newton-Euler Equations;Automobile Crash Modelling