DYNAMICS AND STABILITY: A LONG HISTORY FROM EQUILIBRIUM TO DYNAMICAL INTEGRITY

Abstract

This work is aimed at reporting a personal, and thus partial, history of the dynamics and stability concepts within the framework of classical mechanics. The idea is to introduce these concepts without using mathematics and formula, but rather through practical and clear examples. For this purpose, it has been chosen to take in consideration some simple dynamic phenomena that we are used to live with, but that are able to explain more complex concepts. The paper starts with a brief summary on equilibrium concept evolution, passes through stability problems and arrives to more advanced concepts, such as structural stability and dynamical integrity.