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A Piecewise-Conserved Constant of Motion for a Dissipative System

Lior M. Burko
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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.

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Lior M. Burko. 1999-05-29. A Piecewise-Conserved Constant of Motion for a Dissipative System. https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807%2F20%2F4%2F306

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