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

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Gauss principle of less constraints and the Gibbs-Apell equations, highlighting a scarcity of comprehensive literature on these topics in analytical mechanics. Key references include "The Variational Principle of Mechanics" by Lanczos, "A Treatise on Analytical Dynamics" by Pars, and "Analytical Mechanics: A Comprehensive Treatise on the Dynamics of Constrained Systems" by Papastavridis. The conversation also critiques the notation used for acceleration in early 20th-century texts, specifically mentioning the use of 'f' instead of the more standard 'a'.

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  • Understanding of analytical mechanics principles
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  • Research "The Variational Principle of Mechanics" by Lanczos
  • Study "A Treatise on Analytical Dynamics" by Pars
  • Explore "Analytical Mechanics: A Comprehensive Treatise on the Dynamics of Constrained Systems" by Papastavridis
  • Examine the Gibbs-Apell equations in detail
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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.
 
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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.
 
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