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On redundant variables in Lagrangian mechanics, with applications to perturbation theory and KS regularization

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Abstract

It is shown that it is possible to make a change of variables in a Lagrangian in such a way that the number of variables is increased. The Euler-Lagrange equations in the redundant variables are obtained in the standard way (without the use of Lagrange Multipliers!). These equations are not independent but they are all valid and consistent. In some cases they are simpler than if the minimum number of variables are used. The redundant variables are supposed to be related to each other by several constraints (not necessarily holonomic), but these constraints are not used in the derivation of the equations of motion. The method is illustrated with the well known Kustaanheimo-Stiefel Regularization. Some interesting applications to perturbation theory are also described.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., USA

    R. Broucke & H. Lass

Authors
  1. R. Broucke
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  2. H. Lass
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The present research was carried out partially at the University of California and partially at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory under contract NAS7-100 with NASA.

Presently Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Texas.

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Broucke, R., Lass, H. On redundant variables in Lagrangian mechanics, with applications to perturbation theory and KS regularization. Celestial Mechanics 12, 317–325 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01228566

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01228566

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