Separable Systems of Coordinates for Triangular Newton Equations

Triangular form of Newton equations is a strong property. Together with the existence of a single quadratic with respect to velocities integral of motion, it usally implies existence of further n − 1 integrals that are also quadratic. These integrals make the triangular system separable in new type of coordinates. The separation coordinates are built of quadric surfaces that are nonorthogonal and noconfocal and can intersect along lower dimensional singular manifolds. We present here separability theory for n -dimensional triangular systems and analyze the structure of separation coordinates in two and three dimensions.     

Mechanical systems related to the Schrödinger spectral problem

We present a variety of integrable mechanical systems which are embedded into the KdV and the Harry Dym hierarchies of soliton equations as their restricted flows. Integrable structures of these systems are systematically derived from the properties of the underlying hierarchies of equations. It is illustrated by the key example of the Garnier system which describes the motion of a particle in a quartic ‘wine bottle’ potential.     

From Jacobi problem of separation of variables to theory of quasipotential Newton equations

Our solution to the Jacobi problem of finding separation variables for natural Hamiltonian systems H = ½p ² + V(q) is explained in the first part of this review. It has a form of an effective criterion that for any given potential V(q) tells whether there exist suitable separation coordinates x(q) and how to find these coordinates, so that the Hamilton-Jacobi equation of the transformed Hamiltonian is separable. The main reason for existence of such criterion is the fact that for separable potentials V(q) all integrals of motion depend quadratically on momenta and that all orthogonal separation coordinates stem from the generalized elliptic coordinates. This criterion is directly applicable to the problem of separating multidimensional stationary Schrödinger equation of quantum mechanics. Second part of this work provides a summary of theory of quasipotential, cofactor pair Newton equations $ \ddot q $ = M(q) admitting n quadratic integrals of motion. This theory is a natural generalization of theory of separable potential systems $ \ddot q $ = ??(q). The cofactor pair Newton equations admit a Hamilton-Poisson structure in an extended 2n + 1 dimensional phase space and are integrable by embedding into a Liouville integrable system. Two characterizations of these systems are given: one through a Poisson pencil and another one through a set of Fundamental Equations. For a generic cofactor pair system separation variables have been found and such system have been shown to be equivalent to a Stäckel separable Hamiltonian system. The theory is illustrated by examples of driven and triangular Newton equations.     

Understanding reversals of a rattleback

A counterintuitive unidirectional (say counterclockwise) motion of a toy rattleback takes place when it is started by tapping it at a long side or by spinning it slowly in the clockwise sense of rotation. We study the motion of a toy rattleback having an ellipsoidal-shaped bottom by using frictionless Newton equations of motion of a rigid body rolling without sliding in a plane. We simulate these equations for tapping and spinning initial conditions to see the contact trajectory, the force arm and the reaction force responsible for torque turning the rattleback in the counterclockwise sense of rotation. Long time behavior of such a rattleback is, however, quasi-periodic and a rattleback starting with small transversal oscillations turns in the clockwise direction.     

How to Find Separation Coordinates for the Hamilton–Jacobi Equation: A Criterion of Separability for Natural Hamiltonian Systems

The method of separation of variables applied to the natural Hamilton–Jacobi equation (u/q _i )²+V(q)=E consists of finding new curvilinear coordinates x _i (q) in which the transformed equation admits a complete separated solution u(x)=u _(i)(x _i ;). For a potential V(q) given in Cartesian coordinates, the main difficulty is to decide if such a transformation x(q) exists and to determine it explicitly. Surprisingly, this nonlinear problem has a complete algorithmic solution, which we present here. It is based on recursive use of the Bertrand–Darboux equations, which are linear second order partial differential equations with undetermined coefficients. The result applies to the Helmholtz (stationary Schrödinger) equation as well.     

Dynamics of a rolling and sliding disk in a plane. Asymptotic solutions,stability and numerical simulations

We present a qualitative analysis of the dynamics of a rolling and sliding disk in a horizontal plane. It is based on using three classes of asymptotic solutions: straight-line rolling, spinning about a vertical diameter and tumbling solutions. Their linear stability analysis is given and it is complemented with computer simulations of solutions starting in the vicinity of the asymptotic solutions. The results on asymptotic solutions and their linear stability apply also to an annulus and to a hoop.     

What does it mean to explain the rising of the tippe top?

A fast rotating tippe top (TT) defies our intuition because, when it is launched on its bottom, it flips over to spin on its handle. The existing understanding of the flipping motion of TT is based on analysis of stability of asymptotic solutions for different values of TT parameters: the eccentricity of the center of mass 0 ⩽ α ⩽ 1 and the quotient of main moments of inertia γ = I ₁/I ₃. These results provide conditions for flipping of TT but they say little about dynamics of inversion. I propose here a new approach to study the equations of TT and introduce a Main Equation for the tippe top. This equation enables analysis of dynamics of TT and explains how the axis of symmetry of TT moves on the unit sphere S ². This approach also makes possible to study the relationship between behavior of TT and the law of friction.      

Dynamics of the Tippe Top—Properties of numerical solutions versus the dynamical equations

We study the relationship between numerical solutions for inverting Tippe Top and the structure of the dynamical equations. The numerical solutions confirm the oscillatory behavior of the inclination angle θ(t) for the symmetry axis of the Tippe Top, as predicted by the Main Equation for the Tippe Top. They also reveal further fine features of the dynamics of inverting solutions defining the time of inversion. These features are partially understood on the basis of the underlying dynamical equations.