arXiv subjects

M. Rivas

Publications and source records attributed to M. Rivas.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2006

A Home Experiment in Elasticity

We analyze a simple problem in elasticity: the \emph{initial} motion of an elastic bar that after being hanged from an end is suddenly released. In a second problem a point mass is attached on the top of the bar. The analytical solutions uncover some unexpected properties, which can be checked, with a digital camera or camcorder, in an alternative setup in which a spring is substituted for the bar. The theoretical model and the experiments are useful to understand the similarities and differences between the elastic properties of bar and spring. Students can take advantage of the home experiments to improve their understanding of elastic waves.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2004

Linear Momentum Density in Quasistatic Electromagnetic Systems

We discuss a couple of simple quasistatic electromagnetic systems in which the density of electromagnetic linear momentum can be easily computed. The examples are also used to illustrate how the total electromagnetic linear momentum, which may also be calculated by using the vector potential, can be understood as a consequence of the violation of the action-reaction principle, because a non-null external force is required to maintain constant the mechanical linear momentum. We show how one can avoid the divergence in the interaction linear electromagnetic momentum of a system composed by an idealization often used in textbooks (an infinite straight current) and a point charge.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv1998

Regular order reductions of ordinary and delay-differential equations

We present a C program to compute by successive approximations the regular order reduction of a large class of ordinary differential equations, which includes evolution equations in electrodynamics and gravitation. The code may also find the regular order reduction of delay-differential equations.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv1997

Order reductions of Lorentz-Dirac-like equations

We discuss the phenomenon of preacceleration in the light of a method of successive approximations used to construct the physical order reduction of a large class of singular equations. A simple but illustrative physical example is analyzed to get more insight into the convergence properties of the method.

math-ph↗