Constraints are placed on the form of the Lagrangian for dissipative systems consistent with dH/dt = dE/dt = −f(ẋ). If the dissipative force is such that f̋(ẋ)≠0, then no Lagrangian can satisfy both ∂L/∂f = f(ẋ) and the equation of motion in the form mẍ+f(ẋ)/ẋ+dV/dt = 0.(AIP)
Topics
Thermodynamic systems
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© 1981 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1981
American Association of Physics Teachers
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