SIGMA 3 (2007), 036, 33 pages      math.DS/0703043      https://doi.org/10.3842/SIGMA.2007.036
Contribution to the Vadim Kuznetsov Memorial Issue

A 'User-Friendly' Approach to the Dynamical Equations of Non-Holonomic Systems

Sergio Benenti
Department of Mathematics, University of Turin, Italy

Received November 29, 2006, in final form February 13, 2007; Published online March 01, 2007

Abstract
Two effective methods for writing the dynamical equations for non-holonomic systems are illustrated. They are based on the two types of representation of the constraints: by parametric equations or by implicit equations. They can be applied to linear as well as to non-linear constraints. Only the basic notions of vector calculus on Euclidean 3-space and on tangent bundles are needed. Elementary examples are illustrated.

Key words: non-holonomic systems; dynamical systems.

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