A Something about configuration manifolds in classical mechanics

wrobel
Science Advisor
Insights Author
Messages
1,205
Reaction score
1,027
I think it could be interesting.

Consider a mechanical system

Screenshot from 2021-02-25 09-30-39.png
A circle of mass M can rotate about the vertical axis. The angle of rotation is coordinated by the angle ##\psi##. A bead of mass m>0 can slide along this circle. The position of the bead relative the circle is given by the angle ##\theta##.

It is interesting to note that if M>0 the Lagrangian of this system is defined on the tangent bundle ##T\mathbb{T}^2##. But if M=0 then the Lagrangian is defined on the tangent bundle ##TS^2##.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
how is define the set ##\mathbb{T}##?
 
##\mathbb{T}^n=S^1\times\ldots\times S^1,\quad \mathbb{T}^1=S^1##
but
##S^1\times S^1\ne S^2##!
 
Last edited:
Differential geometry is a difficult subject that lacks "easy" pedagogical examples. However, using GNU/Linux tools, as I attempt to demonstrate in my web page, differential geometry can be easily explored so as to attain a thorough understanding of its principles. "A picture is worth a thousand words" is the old adage and it does indeed apply to differential geometry. Please feel free to visit my page and offer a comment: http://lapiet.info/mathphys/diffgeo/diffgeo1/monkey_saddle.html...

Similar threads

Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 73 ·
3
Replies
73
Views
7K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K