In classical mechanics, a constraint on a system is a parameter that the system must obey. For example, a box sliding down a slope must remain on the slope. There are two different types of constraints: holonomic and non-holonomic.
Types of constraint
- First class constraints and second class constraints
- Primary constraints, secondary constraints, tertiary constraints, quaternary constraints
- Holonomic constraints, also called integrable constraints, (depending on time and the coordinates but not on the momenta) and Nonholonomic system
- Pfaffian constraints
- Scleronomic constraints (not depending on time) and rheonomic constraints (depending on time)
- Ideal constraints: those for which the work done by the constraint forces under a virtual displacement vanishes.
References
- Leach, Dr Andrew (2001-01-30). Molecular Modelling: Principles and Applications (2nd ed.). Harlow: Prentice Hall. pp. 369–370. ISBN 9780582382107.
 | This classical mechanics–related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |