Understanding rigid body motion in arbitrary dimensions

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Author: Leyvraz, Francois
• Format: Paper Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 25.03.2015
• Subjects: Angular velocity; Economic models; Equations of motion; Euler-Lagrange equation; Inertia; Mathematical analysis; Matrix methods; Moments of inertia; Physics - Classical Physics; Rigid structures; Rigid-body dynamics; Tensors; Three dimensional bodies; Three dimensional motion

Why would anyone wish to generalize the already unappetizing subject of rigid body motion to an arbitrary number of dimensions? At first sight, the subject seems to be both repellent and superfluous. The author will try to argue that an approach involving no specifically three-dimensional constructs...