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This paper is devoted to the study of mechanical systems subjected to external forces in the framework of symplectic geometry. We obtain Noether's theorem for Lagrangian systems with external forces, among other results regarding symmetries and conserved quantities. We particularize our results for the so-called Rayleigh dissipation, i.e., external forces that are derived from a dissipation function, and illustrate them with some examples. Moreover, we present a theory for the reduction in Lagrangian systems subjected to external forces, which are invariant under the action of a Lie group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a unified geometric framework for describing both the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms of contact autonomous mechanical systems, which is based on the approach of the pioneering work of R. Skinner and R. Rusk. This framework permits to skip the second order differential equation problem, which is obtained as a part of the constraint algorithm (for singular or regular Lagrangians), and is especially useful to describe singular Lagrangian systems. Some examples are also discussed to illustrate the method. A unified geometric framework is presented for describing both the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms of contact autonomous mechanical systems, which is based on the approach of the pioneering work of R. Skinner and R. Rusk. This framework permits to skip the second order differential equation problem, which is obtained as a part of the constraint algorithm (for singular or regular Lagrangians), and is especially useful to describe singular Lagrangian systems. Some examples are also discussed to illustrate the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss the singular Lagrangian systems on the framework of contact geometry. These systems exhibit a dissipative behavior in contrast with the symplectic scenario. We develop a constraint algorithm similar to the presymplectic one studied by Gotay and Nester (the geometrization of the well-known Dirac–Bergmann algorithm). We also construct the Hamiltonian counterpart and prove the equivalence with the Lagrangian side. A Dirac–Jacobi bracket is constructed similar to the Dirac bracket. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a Hamilton-Jacobi theory for singular Lagrangian systems in the Skinner-Rusk formalism. Comparisons with the Hamilton-Jacobi problem in the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian settings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to develop a constraint algorithm for time-dependent Lagrangian systems which permit us to solve the motion equations. This algorithm extends the Gotay and Nester algorithm for autonomous Lagrangians which is, in fact, a particular case. To do this the almost stable tangent geometry of the evolution space and the notion of cosymplectic structure are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complete classification of natural transformations of finite order of Lagrangians into energies over n-dimensional manifolds, where n≥2, is given herein. The classification of natural transformations of finite order of vector fields and Lagrangians into energies and constants of the motion is also obtained for n≥3. By using these results, a classification of Lagrangians into Poincaré–Cartan one-forms and Legendre transformations is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a complete theory of higher-order autonomous contact mechanics, which allows us to describe higher-order dynamical systems with dissipation. The essential tools for the theory are the extended higher-order tangent bundles, T k Q × R , whose geometric structures are previously introduced in order to state the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms for these kinds of systems, including their variational formulation. The variational principle, the contact forms, and the geometric dynamical equations are obtained by using those structures and generalizing the standard formulation of contact Lagrangian and Hamiltonian systems. As an alternative approach, we develop a unified description that encompasses the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian equations as well as their relationship through the Legendre map; all of them are obtained from the contact dynamical equations and the constraint algorithm that is implemented because, in this formalism, the dynamical systems are always singular. Some interesting examples are finally analysed using these geometric formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vakonomic mechanical system can be alternatively described by an extended Lagrangian using the Lagrange multipliers as new variables. Since this extended Lagrangian is singular, the constraint algorithm can be applied and a Dirac bracket giving the evolution of the observables can be constructed. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]