Symmetry reduction for central force problems
Journal article, 2016
We give an elementary illustration of symmetry reduction for central force problems, drawing phase portraits of the reduced dynamics as the intersection of Casimir and energy level sets in three dimensions. These systems form a classic example of symplectic reduction which can usefully be compared to the more commonly seen case of the free rigid body.
Physics
central force problems
symplectic reduction
Education & Educational Research
Hamiltonian systems
geometrie differentielle
lie
Author
R. I. McLachlan
Massey University
Klas Modin
Chalmers, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics
University of Gothenburg
Olivier Verdier
Hogskolen i Bergen
European Journal of Physics
0143-0807 (ISSN) 13616404 (eISSN)
Vol. 37 5 055003Subject Categories
Mathematics
Physical Sciences
Roots
Basic sciences
DOI
10.1088/0143-0807/37/5/055003