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Discrete-continuous systems with symmetry. (English) Zbl 0902.70014

Summary: This work develops the geometry and dynamics for discrete-continuous systems with nonholonomic constraints and symmetry from the perspective of Lagrangian mechanics. The basic methodology is that of geometric mechanics of discrete-continuous type, applied to the formulation of Lagrange-d’Alembert for these systems, generalizing the momentum maps associated with a given symmetry group to this case. One of the purposes is to derive a discrete-continuous evolution equation for the momentum, and to distinguish geometrically and mechanically the cases where the momentum is conserved. We give detailed examples which illustrate this theory.

MSC:

70H03 Lagrange’s equations
70F25 Nonholonomic systems related to the dynamics of a system of particles
70H33 Symmetries and conservation laws, reverse symmetries, invariant manifolds and their bifurcations, reduction for problems in Hamiltonian and Lagrangian mechanics