Constraint (mechanics)

In classical mechanics, a constraint is a relation between coordinates and momenta (and possibly higher derivatives of the coordinates).

Types of constraint

• First class constraints and second class constraints
• Primary constraints, secondary constraints, tertiary constraints, quaternary constraints.
• Holonomic constraints and Non-holonomic constraints
• Pfaffian constraints
• Scleronomous constraints (not depending on time) and [rheonomous constraint]]s (depending on time).

References

• Goldstein, Herbert; Poole, Charles; Safko, John (2002), Classical Mechanics (3rd ed.), Addison-Wesley, ISBN 978-0-201-65702-9