Question
A system of N particles in three dimensions has C constraints. What is the number of degrees of freedom of such a system?
Solution
Given, a system of N particles in three dimensions has 3N degrees of freedom.
There are C constraints which decrease the C degrees of freedom.
Therefore, net degrees of freedom are,
f=3N-C
There are C constraints which decrease the C degrees of freedom.
Therefore, net degrees of freedom are,
f=3N-C
