The dynamics of classical motion of a nucleus is investigated. The Ham
iltonian consists of harmonic oscillator potential and spin orbit coup
ling. It is shown that the classical dynamics of the nucleon motion in
such a mean field is very rich. The trajectories live in submanifolds
with dimensions ranging from 3 to 6, depending on initial conditions
and control parameters. This reflects a transition from ordered to cha
otic dynamics. The calculated Poincare sections, Lyapunov exponents, c
orrelation dimensions and power spectra describe quantitatively this t
ransition.