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Generalized coordinates

In analytical mechanics, generalized coordinates are a set of parameters used to represent the state of a system in a configuration space. These parameters must uniquely define the configuration of the system relative to a reference state.[1] The generalized velocities are the time derivatives of the generalized coordinates of the system. The adjective "generalized" distinguishes these parameters from the traditional use of the term "coordinate" to refer to Cartesian coordinates.

An example of a generalized coordinate would be to describe the position of a pendulum using the angle of the pendulum relative to vertical, rather than by the x and y position of the pendulum.


Although there may be many possible choices for generalized coordinates for a physical system, they are generally selected to simplify calculations, such as the solution of the equations of motion for the system. If the coordinates are independent of one another, the number of independent generalized coordinates is defined by the number of degrees of freedom of the system.[2][3]


Generalized coordinates are paired with generalized momenta to provide canonical coordinates on phase space.

Physical quantities in generalized coordinates[edit]

Kinetic energy[edit]

The total kinetic energy of the system is the energy of the system's motion, defined as[9]

Canonical coordinates

Hamiltonian mechanics

Virtual work

Orthogonal coordinates

Curvilinear coordinates

Mass matrix

Stiffness matrix

Generalized forces

Ginsberg, Jerry H. (2008). Engineering dynamics (3rd ed.). Cambridge UK: . ISBN 978-0-521-88303-0.

Cambridge University Press

; Poole, Charles; Safko, John (2002). Classical Mechanics (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Addison Wesley. ISBN 0-201-65702-3.

Goldstein, Herbert

Hand, Louis N.; Finch, Janet D. (1998). Analytical mechanics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.  978-0521575720.

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; Berkshire, F.H. (2004). Classical Mechanics (5th ed.). River Edge NJ: Imperial College Press. ISBN 1860944248.

Kibble, T.W.B

Landau, L. D.; Lifshitz, E.M. (1976). Mechanics (Third ed.). Oxford.  978-0750628969.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

ISBN

Torby, Bruce (1984). "Energy Methods". Advanced Dynamics for Engineers. HRW Series in Mechanical Engineering. United States of America: CBS College Publishing.  0-03-063366-4.

ISBN