Classical What Are the Gauss Principle of Less Constraints and Gibbs-Apell Equations?

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The discussion highlights a gap in the literature on analytical mechanics regarding the Gauss principle of less constraints and the Gibbs-Apell equations. The only notable reference mentioned is Lanczos's "The Variational Principle of Mechanics." Participants are seeking accessible introductory books and resources on these topics, with specific mentions of "Pars: A Treatise on Analytical Dynamics" and "Papastavridis: Analytical Mechanics: A Comprehensive Treatise on the Dynamics of Constrained Systems." Additionally, there is a critique of the notation used for acceleration, specifically the use of "f," which is seen as outdated and confusing, particularly in the context of early 20th-century British texts like Whittaker's work.
andresB
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In the usual literature about analytical mechanics, I find very little about the Gauss principle of less constraints and the Gibbs-Apell equations. I think the only treatment I've seen on Gauss is given In Lanczos's The variational principle of mechanics".

So, I'm looking for introductory and readable books and other sources about the topic.
 
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Pars A Treatise on Analytical Dynamics
Papastavridis Analytical Mechanics: A Comprehensive Treatise on the Dynamics of Constrained Systems
 
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Opening Pars after a long time, I just remembered that he writes f for the acceleration. Worst. Notation. Ever.
 
I looked at Whittaker and he also uses f. So maybe early 20th Century Britain had not been exposed to the wonders of a. He talks briefly about your stuff in Chapter 9.
 
Im currently reading mathematics for physicists by Philippe Dennery and André Krzywicki, and I’m understanding most concepts however I think it would be better for me to get a book on complex analysis or calculus to better understand it so I’m not left looking at an equation for an hour trying to figure out what it means. So here comes the split, do I get a complex analysis book? Or a calculus book? I might be able to Borrow a calculus textbook from my math teacher study that for a bit and...

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