Related papers: Brachistochrones With Loose Ends
Despite the huge number of research into the three-body problem in physics and mathematics, the study of this problem still remains relevant both from the point of view of its broad application and taking into account its fundamental…
We study variational problems for curves approximated by B-spline curves. We show that, one can obtain discrete Euler-Lagrange equations, for the data describing the approximated curves. Our main application is to the curve completion…
In this note we introduce and solve a soft classification version of the famous Bayesian sequential testing problem for a Brownian motion's drift. We establish that the value function is the unique non-trivial solution to a free boundary…
Dislocation based modeling of plasticity is one of the central challenges at the crossover of materials science and continuum mechanics. Developing a continuum theory of dislocations requires the solution of two long standing problems: (i)…
We report peculiar velocity quantization phenomena in the classical motion of an idealized 1D solid lubricant, consisting of a harmonic chain interposed between two periodic sliders. The ratio v_cm/v_ext of the chain center-of-mass velocity…
Using classical differential geometry, the problem of elastic curves and surfaces in the presence of long-range interactions $\Phi$, is posed. Starting from a variational principle, the balance of elastic forces and the corresponding…
We study the dynamics of three elastic particles in a finite interval where two light particles are separated by a heavy ``piston''. The piston undergoes surprisingly complex motion that is oscillatory at short time scales but seemingly…
The basic problem of the calculus of variations consists of finding a function that minimizes an energy, like finding the fastest trajectory between two points for a point mass in a gravity field moving without friction under the influence…
This paper is devoted to classical variational problems for planar elastic curves of clamped endpoints, so-called Euler's elastica problem. We investigate a straightening limit that means enlarging the distance of the endpoints, and obtain…
We investigate a model for the dynamics of a solid object, which moves over a randomly vibrating solid surface and is subject to a constant external force. The dry friction between the two solids is modeled phenomenologically as being…
In this paper we study a discrete variational optimal control problem for the rigid body. The cost to be minimized is the external torque applied to move the rigid body from an initial condition to a pre-specified terminal condition.…
In this paper we show all possible ramps where an object can move with constant speed under the effect of gravity and friction. The planar ramp are very easy to describe, just rotate a curve with velocity vector (tanh(as),sech(as)). Recall…
We consider the Skorokhod problem in a time-varying interval. We prove existence and uniqueness for the solution. We also express the solution in terms of an explicit formula. Moving boundaries may generate singularities when they touch. We…
We develop a new method to determine the acceleration of a block sliding down along the face of a moving wedge. We have been able to link the solution of this problem to that of the inclined plane problem of elementary physics, thus…
Cracks are the major vehicle for material failure, and often exhibit rather complex dynamics. The laws that govern their motion have remained an object of constant study for nearly a century. The simplest kind of dynamic crack is a single…
A simple mechanical problem is considered which we believe will help students to familiarize some concepts of mechanics of variable mass systems. Meanwhile they can even learn some thrilling physics of bungee jumping.
In this paper we study similarity measures for moving curves which can, for example, model changing coastlines or retreating glacier termini. Points on a moving curve have two parameters, namely the position along the curve as well as time.…
Consider the following variational problem: among all curves in $\mathbb{R}^n$ of fixed length with prescribed end points and prescribed tangents at the end points, minimise the $L^\infty$-norm of the curvature. We show that the solutions…
Classical-particle trajectories are calculated for the static Einstein universe without requiring that the 3-space be closed and curved. Freely-moving test particles are found to return to their starting positions because of strong…
VAM ({\it velocit\`a ascensionale media}) is a measurement that quantifies a cyclist's climbing ability. We show that to minimize the time to attain a given height gain\, -- \,which is tantamount to maximizing VAM\, -- \,a cyclist should…