The general equations of analytical dynamics

Abstract

It is shown that the generalized Poincaré and Chetayev equations, which represent the equations of motion of mechanical systems using a certain closed system of infinitesimal linear operators, are related to the fundamental equations of analytical dynamics. Equations are derived in quasi-coordinates for the case of redundant variables; it is shown that when an energy integral exists the operator X 0 = ∂/ ∂t satisfies the Chetayev cyclic-displacement conditions. Using the energy integral the order of the system of equations of motion is reduced, and generalized Jacobi-Whittaker equations are derived from the Chetayev equations. It is shown that the Poincaré-Chetayev equations are equivalent to a number of equations of motion of non-holonomic systems, in particular, the Maggi, Volterra, Kane, and so on, equations. On the basis of these, and also of other previously obtained results, the Poincaré and Chetayev equations in redundant variables, applicable both to holonomic and non-holonomic systems, can be regarded as general equations of classical dynamics, equivalent to the well-known fundamental forms of the equations of motion, a number of which follow as special cases from the Poincaré and Chetayev equations.