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The properties of the Gibbs ensembles of Hamiltonian systems describing the motion along geodesics on a compact configuration manifold are discussed. We introduce weakly ergodic systems for which the time average of functions on the configuration space is constant almost everywhere. Usual ergodic systems are, of course, weakly ergodic, but the converse is not true. A range of questions concerning the equalization of the density and the temperature of a Gibbs ensemble as time increases indefinitely are considered. In addition, the weak ergodicity of a billiard in a rectangular parallelepiped with a partition wall is established.

A chain of quadratic first integrals of general linear Hamiltonian systems that have not been represented in canonical form is found. Their involutiveness is established and the problem of their functional independence is studied. The key role in the study of a Hamiltonian system is played by an integral cone which is obtained by setting known quadratic first integrals equal to zero. A singular invariant isotropic subspace is shown to pass through each point of the integral cone, and its dimension is found. The maximal dimension of such subspaces estimates from above the degree of instability of the Hamiltonian system. The stability of typical Hamiltonian systems is shown to be equivalent to the degeneracy of the cone to an equilibrium point. General results are applied to the investigation of linear mechanical systems with gyroscopic forces and finite-dimensional quantum systems.

This paper is concerned with the problem of the integrable behavior of geodesics on homogeneous factors of the Lobachevsky plane with respect to Fuchsian groups (orbifolds). Locally the geodesic equations admit three independent Noether integrals linear in velocities (energy is a quadratic form of these integrals). However, when passing along closed cycles the Noether integrals undergo a linear substitution. Thus, the problem of integrability reduces to the search for functions that are invariant under these substitutions. If a Fuchsian group is Abelian, then there is a first integral linear in the velocity (and independent of the energy integral). Conversely, if a Fuchsian group contains noncommuting hyperbolic or parabolic elements, then the geodesic flow does not admit additional integrals in the form of a rational function of Noether integrals. We stress that this result holds also for noncompact orbifolds, when there is no ergodicity of the geodesic flow (since nonrecurrent geodesics can form a set of positive measure).

This paper addresses the dynamics of systems with servoconstraints where the constraints are realized by controlling the inertial properties of the system. Vakonomic systems are a particular case. Special attention is given to the motion on Lie groups with left-invariant kinetic energy and a left-invariant constraint. The presence of symmetries allows the dynamical equations to be reduced to a closed system of differential equations with quadratic right-hand sides. As the main example, we consider the rotation of a rigid body with a left-invariant servo-constraint, which implies that the projection of the body’s angular velocity on some body-fixed direction is zero.

This paper is concerned with the problem of first integrals of the equations of geodesics on two-dimensional surfaces that are rational in the velocities (or momenta). The existence of nontrivial rational integrals with given values of the degrees of the numerator and the denominator is proved using the Cauchy-Kovalevskaya theorem.

This paper addresses a class of problems associated with the conditions for exact integrability of systems of ordinary differential equations expressed in terms of the properties of tensor invariants. The general theorem of integrability of the system of n differential equations is proved, which admits n − 2 independent symmetry fields and an invariant volume n-form (integral invariant). General results are applied to the study of steady motions of a continuum with infinite conductivity.

We develop a new method for solving Hamilton’s canonical differential equations. The method is based on the search for invariant vortex manifolds of special type. In the case of Lagrangian (potential) manifolds, we arrive at the classical Hamilton — Jacobi method.

Invariant manifolds of equations governing the dynamics of conservative nonholonomic systems are investigated. These manifolds are assumed to be uniquely projected onto configuration space. The invariance conditions are represented in the form of generalized Lamb’s equations. Conditions are found under which the solutions to these equations admit a hydrodynamical description typical of Hamiltonian systems. As an illustration, nonholonomic systems on Lie groups with a left-invariant metric and left-invariant (right-invariant) constraints are considered.

We consider a continuum of interacting particles whose evolution is governed by the Vlasov kinetic equation. An infinite sequence of equations of motion for this medium (in the Eulerian description) is derived and its general properties are explored. An important example is a collisionless gas, which exhibits irreversible behavior. Though individual particles interact via a potential, the dynamics of the continuum bears dissipative features. Applicability of the Vlasov equations to the modeling of small-scale turbulence is discussed.

The Kac circular model is a discrete dynamical system which has the property of recurrence and reversibility. Within the framework of this model M. Kac formulated necessary conditions for irreversibility over “short” time intervals to take place and demonstrated Boltzmann’s most important exploration methods and ideas, outlining their advantages and limitations. We study the circular model within the realm of the theory of Gibbs ensembles and offer a new approach to a rigorous proof of the “zeroth” law of thermodynamics based on the analysis of weak convergence of probability distributions.

The paper generalizes the classical Gauss principle for non-constrained dynamical systems. For large anisotropic external forces of viscous friction our statement transforms into the common Gauss principle for systems with constraints.

The paper develops an approach to the proof of the “zeroth” law of thermodynamics. The approach is based on the analysis of weak limits of solutions to the Liouville equation as time grows infinitely. A class of linear oscillating systems is indicated for which the average energy becomes eventually uniformly distributed among the degrees of freedom for any initial probability density functions. An example of such systems are sympathetic pendulums. Conditions are found for nonlinear Hamiltonian systems with finite number of degrees of freedom to converge in a weak sense to the state where the mean energies of the interacting subsystems are the same. Some issues related to statistical models of the thermostat are discussed.

The famous Lagrange identity expresses the second derivative of the moment of inertia of a system of material points through the kinetic energy and homogeneous potential energy. The paper presents various extensions of this brilliant result to the case 1) of constrained mechanical systems, 2) when the potential energy is quasi-homogeneous in coordinates and 3) of continuum of interacting particles governed by the well-known Vlasov kinetic equation.

We consider two problems from the rigid body dynamics and use new methods of stability and asymptotic behavior analysis for their solution. The first problem deals with motion of a rigid body in an unbounded volume of ideal fluid with zero vorticity. The second problem, having similar asymptotic behavior, is concerned with motion of a sleigh on an inclined plane. The equations of motion for the second problem are non-holonomic and exhibit some new features not typical for Hamiltonian systems. A comprehensive survey of references is given and new problems connected with falling motion of heavy bodies in fluid are proposed.