Undergrad Understanding Holonomic Constraints: Common Questions and Answers

[Ahmed1029]

I've got a couple of questions concerning holonomic constraint equations:

1- Suppose I've got k holonomic constraint equations for n particles, how can I be sure those are all the ones there are and I didn't miss any? I mean, in a given situation, I can be pretty sure that I've got all, but is there a general rule about the number of constraint equations that are sufficient?

2- What does "independent holonomic constrains equatiins" mean? My book always insists they have to be independent. Does it simply mean none of them is a scalar multiple of the other?

3- Suppose I've got n holonomic constraint equatione that completely capture the constraint forces, are they unique?

 

[Orodruin]

1) Unsure what you mean by this. This obviously depends on the system you are trying to describe.

2) That none of the constraints can be deduced from the others. If the constraints are linear, then it means no constraint is a linear combination of the others, but constraints need not be linear.

3) No, not necessarily. Any other expression that captures the same constraint will do.

 

[Ahmed1029]

that's what I was looking for! thanks!