On control problems of minimum time for Lagrangian systems similar to a swing. II: Application of convexity criteria to certain minimum time problems (Q1344568)

Summary: This note is part II of a previous note [see the foregoing entry] with the same title. One refers to holonomic systems \(\Sigma = {\mathcal A} \cup {\mathcal U}\) with two degrees of freedom, where the part \(\mathcal A\) can schematize a swing or a pair of skis, and \(\mathcal U\) schematizes whom uses \(\mathcal A\). The behaviour of \(\mathcal U\) is characterized by a coordinate used as a control. Frictions and air resistance are neglected. One considers on \(\Sigma\) minimum time problems and one is interested in the existence of solutions. To this aim one determines a certain structural condition \(\Gamma\) which implies a well known convexity condition (briefly WCC) just ensuring the aforementioned existence. These proofs are based on the results of part I. The condition \(\Gamma\) becomes equivalent to the WCC in both the cases of the swing or of the ski having constant curvature trajectory. An other equivalent structural condition is established in a simple case regarding the ski. The WCC fails, e.g., for the simple pendulum of variable length. One observes that, also in the absence of the WCC, for certain initial and terminal data, the solution still exists.