What is the Difference Between Phase Trajectory and Trajectory in Robotics?

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    Phase Trajectory
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concepts of "trajectory" and "phase trajectory" in the context of robotics and classical systems. Participants explore the definitions and distinctions between these terms, particularly in relation to phase space and system dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a classical system's state as represented by a point in phase space, detailing how a phase trajectory is the path traced by the state vector over time.
  • Another participant reiterates the explanation of phase trajectory, emphasizing its representation in a 6N-dimensional space for systems with multiple particles.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that a phase trajectory is equivalent to a trajectory when discussing phase diagrams, noting that it represents a particular solution to the underlying differential equations.
  • One participant references an external source, The Encyclopaedia of Mathematics, for further information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present overlapping explanations of phase trajectory but do not reach a consensus on whether "trajectory" and "phase trajectory" are entirely interchangeable, indicating a potential area of disagreement.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of "trajectory" and "phase trajectory" may be dependent on specific contexts or interpretations within robotics and classical mechanics, which remain unresolved.

supernova1387
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I was reading an article about robotics stuff and I came across with this word "phase trajectory". I know what the phase plot is but what are trajectory and phase trajectory and is there any difference between them?

Regards
 
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In general terms, the state of a classical system can be described by a point in the appropriate phase space. For instance, for a system of N particles, the positions and (conjugate) momenta of each of the particles provides a description of the system.

The vector [tex]\left( x_1, x_2, ..., x_N, y_1, y_2, ..., y_N, z_1, z_2, ..., z_N, p_{x1}, p_{x2}, ...p_{xN}, p_{y1}, p_{y2}, ..., p_{yN}, p_{z1}, p_{z2}, ..., p_{zN} \right)[/tex] is a point in a 6N-dimensional space that identifies the state of this system at some instant of time. As the system evolves over time, it is described by a different point in phase space at each different instant of time. A phase trajectory is simply the path through phase space traced out by the state vector as it passes through these points at different times.
 
Gokul43201 said:
In general terms, the state of a classical system can be described by a point in the appropriate phase space. For instance, for a system of N particles, the positions and (conjugate) momenta of each of the particles provides a description of the system.

The vector [tex]\left( x_1, x_2, ..., x_N, y_1, y_2, ..., y_N, z_1, z_2, ..., z_N, p_{x1}, p_{x2}, ...p_{xN}, p_{y1}, p_{y2}, ..., p_{yN}, p_{z1}, p_{z2}, ..., p_{zN} \right)[/tex] is a point in a 6N-dimensional space that identifies the state of this system at some instant of time. As the system evolves over time, it is described by a different point in phase space at each different instant of time. A phase trajectory is simply the path through phase space traced out by the state vector as it passes through these points at different times.

Thank you very much for clear explanation.
 
A "phase trajectory", which is the same as just "trajectory" as long as it is understood that we are talking about a phase diagram, is a curve in the phase diagram that is at all points parallel to the phase vectors. And that means that it is a particular solution to the differential equation the phase diagram is based on.
 

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