On the Integrability in Quadratures of the Problem of Rolling a Heavy Homogeneous Ball on a Surface of Revolution of the Second Order

Abstract

The problem of rolling a heavy homogeneous ball on an absolutely rough surface of revolution is considered. Usually, when considering this problem, instead of the surface on which the ball rolls, it is customary to explicitly specify the surface along which the ball’s center moves; these surfaces are equidistant. In this case, the solution of the problem reduces to the integration of some second-order linear differential equation with variable coefficients. The coefficients of this equation depend on the characteristics of the surface along which the ball’s center moves, its principal curvatures, and the Lamé coefficients. If the general solution of the corresponding second-order linear differential equation can be found explicitly, the problem of rolling a heavy homogeneous ball on a surface of revolution can be integrated in quadratures. However, it is impossible to find the general solution to the corresponding equation for an arbitrary surface of revolution in an explicit form. Therefore, of interest is the question for which surfaces of revolution can the general solution of a second-order linear differential equation be found explicitly. In this work, it is assumed that the surface along which the center of the ball moves is a nondegenerate surface of revolution of the second order. In this case, the general solution of the second-order linear differential equation, to the integration of which the problem of rolling a heavy homogeneous ball on a surface of revolution is reduced, can be found in an explicit form. Thus, it is proved that, if the center of a heavy ball rolling on a surface of revolution belongs to a nondegenerate surface of revolution of the second order, then the problem of a rolling ball can be integrated in quadratures.