13 research outputs found
Projective dynamics and classical gravitation
Given a real vector space V of finite dimension, together with a particular
homogeneous field of bivectors that we call a "field of projective forces", we
define a law of dynamics such that the position of the particle is a "ray" i.e.
a half-line drawn from the origin of V. The impulsion is a bivector whose
support is a 2-plane containing the ray. Throwing the particle with a given
initial impulsion defines a projective trajectory. It is a curve in the space
of rays S(V), together with an impulsion attached to each ray. In the simplest
example where the force is identically zero, the curve is a straight line and
the impulsion a constant bivector. A striking feature of projective dynamics
appears: the trajectories are not parameterized.
Among the projective force fields corresponding to a central force, the one
defining the Kepler problem is simpler than those corresponding to other
homogeneities. Here the thrown ray describes a quadratic cone whose section by
a hyperplane corresponds to a Keplerian conic. An original point of view on the
hidden symmetries of the Kepler problem emerges, and clarifies some remarks due
to Halphen and Appell. We also get the unexpected conclusion that there exists
a notion of divergence-free field of projective forces if and only if dim V=4.
No metric is involved in the axioms of projective dynamics.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure