Authors: Jeremy Dunning-Davies
In most, if not all, introductions to classical mechanics, the mass is assumed to be constant. Usually this is mentioned and often attention is drawn to such systems as rocket motion to indicate that, in practice, the mass is not always a constant. In truth, many students actually meet a varying mass for the first time when introduced to the Special Theory of Relativity. However, varying masses do occur in nature when relativistic effects are not important. Here an attempt is made to draw together some common results of classical mechanics with a variable mass taken into account. Particular attention will be drawn to a perceived change in the expression for the kinetic energy and to crucial changes in the basic form of Lagrange’s equations of motion.
Comments: 6 Pages. It is hoped this short note will provoke further examination of the topic discussed.
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[v1] 2013-09-30 14:46:09
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