A Piecewise-Conserved Constant of Motion for a Dissipative System
Physics Education
2009-10-31 v1 Classical Physics
General Physics
Abstract
We discuss a piecewise-conserved constant of motion for a simple dissipative oscillatory mechanical system. The system is a harmonic oscillator with sliding (dry) friction. The piecewise-conserved constant of motion corresponds to the time average of the energy of the system during one half-period of the motion, and changes abruptly at the turning points of the motion. At late times the piecewise-conserved constant of motion degenerates to a constant of motion in the usual sense.
Cite
@article{arxiv.physics/9905057,
title = {A Piecewise-Conserved Constant of Motion for a Dissipative System},
author = {Lior M. Burko},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/9905057},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
8 pages, 6 Encapsulated PostScript figures