Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Constraint (classical mechanics)

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In classical mechanics, a constraint is a relation between coordinates and momenta (and possibly higher derivatives of the coordinates). In other words, a constraint is a restriction on the freedom of movement of a system of particles.

Types of constraint

  • First class constraints and second class constraints
  • Primary constraints, secondary constraints, tertiary constraints, quaternary constraints.
  • Holonomic constraints, also called integrable constraints, (depending on time and the coordinates but not on the momenta) and Non-holonomic constraints
  • Pfaffian constraints
  • Scleronomous constraints (not depending on time) and rheonomous constraints (depending on time).
  • Ideal constraints: those for which the work done by the constraint forces under a virtual displacement vanishes.

    • References

    Constraint (classical mechanics) Wikipedia
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