Integrals of Motion

Abstract

The properties of conservative dynamical systems of two or more degrees of freedom are reviewed. The transition from integrable to ergodic systems is described. Nonintegrability is due to the interaction of two, or more, resonances. Then one sees, on a surface of section, infinite types of islands of various orders, while the asymptotic curves from unstable invariant points intersect each other along homoclinic and heteroclinic points producing an apparent ‘dissolution’ of the invariant curves. A threshold energy is defined separating near integrable systems from near ergodic ones. The possibility of real ergodicity for large enough energies is discussed. In the case of many degrees of freedom we also distinguish between integrable, ergodic, and intermediate cases. Among the latter are systems of particles interacting with Lennard-Jones interparticle potential. A threshold energy was derived, which is proportional to the number of particles. Finally some recent results about the general three-body problem are described. One can extend the families of periodic orbits of the restricted problem to the general three-body problem. Many of these orbits are stable. An empirical study of orbits near the stable periodic orbits indicates the existence of 2 integrals of motion besides the energy.