Uniform motions in central fields

Abstract

We present a theoretical problem of uniform motions, i.e. motions with constant magnitude of the velocity in central fields as a nonholonomic system of one particle with a nonlinear constraint. The concept of the article is in analogy with the recent paper [21]. The problem is analysed from the kinematic and dynamic point of view. The corresponding reduced equation of motion in the Newtonian central gravitational field is solved numerically. Appropriate trajectories for suitable initial conditions are presented. Symmetries and conservation laws are investigated using the concept of constrained Noetherian symmetry [9] and the corresponding constrained Noetherian conservation law. Isotachytonic version of the conservation law of mechanical energy is found as one of the corresponding constraint Noetherian conservation law of this nonholonomic system.