Lecture 14 Conservation of Energy

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Lecture 14 Conservation of Energy LECTURE 14 CONSERVATION OF ENERGY Instructor: Kazumi Tolich Lecture 14 2 ¨ Reading chapter 8-4 to 8-5 ¤ Conservation of energy ¤ Potential energy curves and equipotentials Quiz: 1 3 ¨ A student wants to lift a 50-kg mass, so she hooks it up to the pulley system as shown. The resulting force required to lift the mass is now half the weight of the mass. If the mass rises by 10 cm, how much work did the student do pulling the rope at a constant speed in Joules? Mass Quiz: 14-1 answer 4 ¨ 50 J ¨ If the mass is raised by 10 cm, then both of the right ropes are now 10 cm shorter. The total rope length must be the same, so the left rope is 20 cm longer. So the student pulled it by 20 cm. ( *+ ,- /0 1.34 5⁄67 ¨ Work = �� = � = � = 0.20 m = 50 J ) ) ) ¨ This is equal to the change in mechanical energy of the Earth-mass system. ) ¨ ∆� = ∆� + ∆� = ��∆� = 50 kg 9.81 m⁄s 0.10 m = 50 J Mass Quiz: 2 5 ¨ Suppose a book is sliding on a horizontal tabletop, slowing down due to the friction between the book and the table surface. Eventually the book stops. Define a system containing the book and the table. Which of the following statements is/are correct during this process? Choose all that apply. A. The mechanical energy of the system is conserved. B. The total energy of the system is conserved. Quiz: 14-2 answer 6 ¨ The total energy of the system is conserved. 4 ) ¨ Initially, the book is moving, so the system has a non-zero kinetic energy. � = �� ) ¨ Finally, the book stops on top of the stationary table, so the system does not have kinetic energy. ¨ The kinetic energy decreased to zero, so the mechanical energy is not conserved: ¨ ∆� = ∆� + ∆� ≠ 0 ¨ The reduced mechanical energy went to heat up the table and book surfaces through the friction. ¨ The energy associated with the temperature of a system is its internal energy. Change in mechanical energy 7 ¨ If in a system an object slides through a distance � with a kinetic friction �/ applied on it, the mechanical energy of the system changes. ∆� = −�/� ¨ Other factors that changes mechanical energy: ¤ Air or water resistance ¤ Energy to deform an object result in increase of thermal energy. ¤ If chemical reaction takes place within the system, change in chemical energy occurs. ¤ Other processes can change nuclear, electromagnetic, or other forms of energy. Quiz: 3 ¨ A body falls through the atmosphere gaining 20J of kinetic energy. Air resistance is not negligible. If you define a system containing the body, its surrounding air, and the earth, how much gravitational potential energy did the system lose? A. 20 J B. more than 20 J C. less than 20 J Quiz: 14-3 answer ¨ more than 20 J ¨ As the body falls, the gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy of the body as well as internal energy of the air and the body as they heat up. ¨ −∆� = ∆� + ∆�OPQ = 20 J + ∆�OPQ Example: 1 10 ¨ At a playground, a child of mass � = 18 kg plays on a slide that drops through a height of ℎ = 2.2 m. The child starts at rest at the top of the slide. On the way down, the friction causes the slide and child to heat up, creating ∆�OPQ = 373 J of internal energy. What is the child’s speed at the bottom of the slide? Law of conservation of energy/Demo: 1 11 ¨ The law of conservation of energy: Within the isolated system, energy can be converted from one form to another, or transmitted from one region to another, but energy can never be created or destroyed. The change in the total energy of a system is equal to the energy that enters minus the energy that leaves the system. ¨ The law of conservation of energy is one of the most fundamental laws of physics. We have never observed any violation of this law. ¨ Demo: bowling ball pendulum “Conserving” energy 12 ¨ If energy cannot be created or destroyed, why do we bother “conserving” energy by turning off unused lights, etc? ¤ There are useful forms of energy and not so useful form (thermal energy). Converting thermal energy to more useful form of energy does not have 100% efficiency. ¨ On “Earth Day,” many people tried to “conserve” electric energy by turning off the lights and lighting candles. What is wrong with this picture? Example: 2 13 ¨ A moving block with a mass � = 2.5 kg collides with a horizontal spring whose spring constant is � = 320 N/m. The block compresses the spring a maximum distance of 7.5 cm from its rest position. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the horizontal surface is �/ = 0.25. a) How much work is done by the spring in bringing the block to rest? b) How much mechanical energy is dissipated by the force of friction while the block is being brought to rest by the spring? c) What is the speed of the block when it hits the spring? Gravitational potential energy curves 14 ¨ A ball on a frictionless track starts at rest at A. ¨ The ball-Earth system has the least potential energy, and the most kinetic energy at B. ¨ The ball turns around at D (turning point) and repeats the process. 2D gravitational potential energy plot 15 ¨ Lines corresponding to constant values of potential energy are called equipotentials. ¨ Since � = ���, where � is the height above where you define � to be zero, equipotential lines for gravitational potential energy is at the same height. Elastic potential energy curves 16 ¨ A mass attached to a spring is pulled by distance � from the equilibrium position and released. ¨ The mass undergoes an oscillatory motion. 1 � = ��) 2 Quiz: 4 17 ¨ The graph shows the gravitational potential energy of an object-Earth system as a function of position. When the object is moving in the negative �-direction at � = 0.15 m, the kinetic energy is � = 30 J. What value of � does the object change its direction of motion? Indicate the position on the �-axis. Quiz: 13-4 answer 18 ¨ The total mechanical energy is ~650 J. � = 30 J � � Turning point.
Recommended publications
  • 10. Collisions • Use Conservation of Momentum and Energy and The
    10. Collisions • Use conservation of momentum and energy and the center of mass to understand collisions between two objects. • During a collision, two or more objects exert a force on one another for a short time: -F(t) F(t) Before During After • It is not necessary for the objects to touch during a collision, e.g. an asteroid flied by the earth is considered a collision because its path is changed due to the gravitational attraction of the earth. One can still use conservation of momentum and energy to analyze the collision. Impulse: During a collision, the objects exert a force on one another. This force may be complicated and change with time. However, from Newton's 3rd Law, the two objects must exert an equal and opposite force on one another. F(t) t ti tf Dt From Newton'sr 2nd Law: dp r = F (t) dt r r dp = F (t)dt r r r r tf p f - pi = Dp = ò F (t)dt ti The change in the momentum is defined as the impulse of the collision. • Impulse is a vector quantity. Impulse-Linear Momentum Theorem: In a collision, the impulse on an object is equal to the change in momentum: r r J = Dp Conservation of Linear Momentum: In a system of two or more particles that are colliding, the forces that these objects exert on one another are internal forces. These internal forces cannot change the momentum of the system. Only an external force can change the momentum. The linear momentum of a closed isolated system is conserved during a collision of objects within the system.
    [Show full text]
  • Law of Conversation of Energy
    Law of Conservation of Mass: "In any kind of physical or chemical process, mass is neither created nor destroyed - the mass before the process equals the mass after the process." - the total mass of the system does not change, the total mass of the products of a chemical reaction is always the same as the total mass of the original materials. "Physics for scientists and engineers," 4th edition, Vol.1, Raymond A. Serway, Saunders College Publishing, 1996. Ex. 1) When wood burns, mass seems to disappear because some of the products of reaction are gases; if the mass of the original wood is added to the mass of the oxygen that combined with it and if the mass of the resulting ash is added to the mass o the gaseous products, the two sums will turn out exactly equal. 2) Iron increases in weight on rusting because it combines with gases from the air, and the increase in weight is exactly equal to the weight of gas consumed. Out of thousands of reactions that have been tested with accurate chemical balances, no deviation from the law has ever been found. Law of Conversation of Energy: The total energy of a closed system is constant. Matter is neither created nor destroyed – total mass of reactants equals total mass of products You can calculate the change of temp by simply understanding that energy and the mass is conserved - it means that we added the two heat quantities together we can calculate the change of temperature by using the law or measure change of temp and show the conservation of energy E1 + E2 = E3 -> E(universe) = E(System) + E(Surroundings) M1 + M2 = M3 Is T1 + T2 = unknown (No, no law of conservation of temperature, so we have to use the concept of conservation of energy) Total amount of thermal energy in beaker of water in absolute terms as opposed to differential terms (reference point is 0 degrees Kelvin) Knowns: M1, M2, T1, T2 (Kelvin) When add the two together, want to know what T3 and M3 are going to be.
    [Show full text]
  • Heat and Energy Conservation
    1 Lecture notes in Fluid Dynamics (1.63J/2.01J) by Chiang C. Mei, MIT, Spring, 2007 CHAPTER 4. THERMAL EFFECTS IN FLUIDS 4-1-2energy.tex 4.1 Heat and energy conservation Recall the basic equations for a compressible fluid. Mass conservation requires that : ρt + ∇ · ρ~q = 0 (4.1.1) Momentum conservation requires that : = ρ (~qt + ~q∇ · ~q)= −∇p + ∇· τ +ρf~ (4.1.2) = where the viscous stress tensor τ has the components = ∂qi ∂qi ∂qk τ = τij = µ + + λ δij ij ∂xj ∂xi ! ∂xk There are 5 unknowns ρ, p, qi but only 4 equations. One more equation is needed. 4.1.1 Conservation of total energy Consider both mechanical ad thermal energy. Let e be the internal (thermal) energy per unit mass due to microscopic motion, and q2/2 be the kinetic energy per unit mass due to macroscopic motion. Conservation of energy requires D q2 ρ e + dV rate of incr. of energy in V (t) Dt ZZZV 2 ! = − Q~ · ~ndS rate of heat flux into V ZZS + ρf~ · ~qdV rate of work by body force ZZZV + Σ~ · ~qdS rate of work by surface force ZZX Use the kinematic transport theorm, the left hand side becomes D q2 ρ e + dV ZZZV Dt 2 ! 2 Using Gauss theorem the heat flux term becomes ∂Qi − QinidS = − dV ZZS ZZZV ∂xi The work done by surface stress becomes Σjqj dS = (σjini)qj dS ZZS ZZS ∂(σijqj) = (σijqj)ni dS = dV ZZS ZZZV ∂xi Now all terms are expressed as volume integrals over an arbitrary material volume, the following must be true at every point in space, 2 D q ∂Qi ∂(σijqi) ρ e + = − + ρfiqi + (4.1.3) Dt 2 ! ∂xi ∂xj As an alternative form, we differentiate the kinetic energy and get De
    [Show full text]
  • Lecture 5: Magnetic Mirroring
    !"#$%&'()%"*#%*+,-./-*+01.2(.*3+456789* !"#$%&"'()'*+,-".#'*/&&0&/-,' Dr. Peter T. Gallagher Astrophysics Research Group Trinity College Dublin :&2-;-)(*!"<-$2-"(=*%>*/-?"=)(*/%/="#* o Gyrating particle constitutes an electric current loop with a dipole moment: 1/2mv2 µ = " B o The dipole moment is conserved, i.e., is invariant. Called the first adiabatic invariant. ! o µ = constant even if B varies spatially or temporally. If B varies, then vperp varies to keep µ = constant => v|| also changes. o Gives rise to magnetic mirroring. Seen in planetary magnetospheres, magnetic bottles, coronal loops, etc. Bz o Right is geometry of mirror Br from Chen, Page 30. @-?"=)(*/2$$%$2"?* o Consider B-field pointed primarily in z-direction and whose magnitude varies in z- direction. If field is axisymmetric, B! = 0 and d/d! = 0. o This has cylindrical symmetry, so write B = Brrˆ + Bzzˆ o How does this configuration give rise to a force that can trap a charged particle? ! o Can obtain Br from " #B = 0 . In cylindrical polar coordinates: 1 " "Bz (rBr )+ = 0 r "r "z ! " "Bz => (rBr ) = #r "r "z o If " B z / " z is given at r = 0 and does not vary much with r, then r $Bz 1 2&$ Bz ) ! rBr = " #0 r dr % " r ( + $z 2 ' $z *r =0 ! 1 &$ Bz ) Br = " r( + (5.1) 2 ' $z *r =0 ! @-?"=)(*/2$$%$2"?* o Now have Br in terms of BZ, which we can use to find Lorentz force on particle. o The components of Lorentz force are: Fr = q(v" Bz # vzB" ) (1) F" = q(#vrBz + vzBr ) (2) (3) Fz = q(vrB" # v" Br ) (4) o As B! = 0, two terms vanish and terms (1) and (2) give rise to Larmor gyration.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 15 - Fluid Mechanics Thursday, March 24Th
    Chapter 15 - Fluid Mechanics Thursday, March 24th •Fluids – Static properties • Density and pressure • Hydrostatic equilibrium • Archimedes principle and buoyancy •Fluid Motion • The continuity equation • Bernoulli’s effect •Demonstration, iClicker and example problems Reading: pages 243 to 255 in text book (Chapter 15) Definitions: Density Pressure, ρ , is defined as force per unit area: Mass M ρ = = [Units – kg.m-3] Volume V Definition of mass – 1 kg is the mass of 1 liter (10-3 m3) of pure water. Therefore, density of water given by: Mass 1 kg 3 −3 ρH O = = 3 3 = 10 kg ⋅m 2 Volume 10− m Definitions: Pressure (p ) Pressure, p, is defined as force per unit area: Force F p = = [Units – N.m-2, or Pascal (Pa)] Area A Atmospheric pressure (1 atm.) is equal to 101325 N.m-2. 1 pound per square inch (1 psi) is equal to: 1 psi = 6944 Pa = 0.068 atm 1atm = 14.7 psi Definitions: Pressure (p ) Pressure, p, is defined as force per unit area: Force F p = = [Units – N.m-2, or Pascal (Pa)] Area A Pressure in Fluids Pressure, " p, is defined as force per unit area: # Force F p = = [Units – N.m-2, or Pascal (Pa)] " A8" rea A + $ In the presence of gravity, pressure in a static+ 8" fluid increases with depth. " – This allows an upward pressure force " to balance the downward gravitational force. + " $ – This condition is hydrostatic equilibrium. – Incompressible fluids like liquids have constant density; for them, pressure as a function of depth h is p p gh = 0+ρ p0 = pressure at surface " + Pressure in Fluids Pressure, p, is defined as force per unit area: Force F p = = [Units – N.m-2, or Pascal (Pa)] Area A In the presence of gravity, pressure in a static fluid increases with depth.
    [Show full text]
  • Fluid Dynamics and Mantle Convection
    Subduction II Fundamentals of Mantle Dynamics Thorsten W Becker University of Southern California Short course at Universita di Roma TRE April 18 – 20, 2011 Rheology Elasticity vs. viscous deformation η = O (1021) Pa s = viscosity µ= O (1011) Pa = shear modulus = rigidity τ = η / µ = O(1010) sec = O(103) years = Maxwell time Elastic deformation In general: σ ε ij = Cijkl kl (in 3-D 81 degrees of freedom, in general 21 independent) For isotropic body this reduces to Hooke’s law: σ λε δ µε ij = kk ij + 2 ij λ µ ε ε ε ε with and Lame’s parameters, kk = 11 + 22 + 33 Taking shear components ( i ≠ j ) gives definition of rigidity: σ µε 12 = 2 12 Adding the normal components ( i=j ) for all i=1,2,3 gives: σ λ µ ε κε kk = (3 + 2 ) kk = 3 kk with κ = λ + 2µ/3 = bulk modulus Linear viscous deformation (1) Total stress field = static + dynamic part: σ = − δ +τ ij p ij ij Analogous to elasticity … General case: τ = ε ij C'ijkl kl Isotropic case: τ = λ ε δ + ηε ij ' kk ij 2 ij Linear viscous deformation (2) Split in isotropic and deviatoric part (latter causes deformation): 1 σ ' = σ − σ δ = σ + pδ ij ij 3 kk ij ij ij 1 ε' = ε − ε δ ij ij 3 kk ij which gives the following stress: σ = − δ + ςε δ + ηε 'ij ( p p) ij kk ij 2 'ij ε = With compressibility term assumed 0 (Stokes condition kk 0 ) 2 ( ς = λ ' + η = bulk viscosity) 3 τ Now τ = 2 η ε or η = ij ij ij ε 2 ij η = In general f (T,d, p, H2O) Non-linear (or non-Newtonian) deformation General stress-strain relation: ε = Aτ n n = 1 : Newtonian n > 1 : non-Newtonian n → ∞ : pseudo-brittle 1 −1 1−n 1 −1/ n (1−n) / n Effective viscosity η = A τ = A ε eff 2 2 Application: different viscosities under oceans with different absolute plate motion, anisotropic viscosities by means of superposition (Schmeling, 1987) Microphysical theory and observations Maximum strength of materials (1) ‘Strength’ is maximum stress that material can resist In principle, viscous fluid has zero strength.
    [Show full text]
  • Experiment 7: Conservation of Energy
    Experiment 7: Conservation of Energy One of the most important and useful concepts in mechanics is that of \Conservation of Energy". In this experiment, you will make measurements to demonstrate the conservation of mechanical energy and its transformation between kinetic energy and potential energy. The Total Mechanical Energy, E, of a system is defined as the sum of the Kinetic Energy, K, and the Potential Energy, U: E = K + U: (1) If the system is isolated, with only conservative forces acting on its parts, the total mechanical energy of the system is a constant. The mechanical energy can, however, be transformed between its kinetic and potential forms. cannot be destroyed. Rather, the energy is transmitted from one form to another. Any change in the kinetic energy will cause a corresponding change in the potential energy, and vice versa. The conservation of energy then dictates that, ∆K + ∆U = 0 (2) where ∆K is the change in the kinetic energy, and ∆U is the change in potential energy. Potential energy is a form of stored energy and is a consequence of the work done by a force. Examples of forces which have an associated potential energy are the gravitational and the electromagnetic fields and, in mechanics, a spring. In a sense potential energy is a storage system for energy. For a body moving under the influence of a force F , the change in potential energy is given by Z f −! −! ∆U = − F · ds (3) i where i and f represent the initial and final positions of the body, respectively. Hence, from Equation 2 we have what is commonly referred to as the work-kinetic energy theorem: Z f −! −! ∆K = F · ds (4) i Consider a body of mass m, being accelerated by a compressed spring.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation of Momentum
    AccessScience from McGraw-Hill Education Page 1 of 3 www.accessscience.com Conservation of momentum Contributed by: Paul W. Schmidt Publication year: 2014 The principle that, when a system of masses is subject only to forces that masses of the system exert on one another, the total vector momentum of the system is constant. Since vector momentum is conserved, in problems involving more than one dimension the component of momentum in any direction will remain constant. The principle of conservation of momentum holds generally and is applicable in all fields of physics. In particular, momentum is conserved even if the particles of a system exert forces on one another or if the total mechanical energy is not conserved. Use of the principle of conservation of momentum is fundamental in the solution of collision problems. See also: COLLISION (PHYSICS) . If a person standing on a well-lubricated cart steps forward, the cart moves backward. One can explain this result by momentum conservation, considering the system to consist of cart and human. If both person and cart are originally at rest, the momentum of the system is zero. If the person then acquires forward momentum by stepping forward, the cart must receive a backward momentum of equal magnitude in order for the system to retain a total momentum of zero. When the principle of conservation of momentum is applied, care must be taken that the system under consideration is really isolated. For example, when a rough rock rolls down a hill, the isolated system would have to consist of the rock plus the earth, and not the rock alone, since momentum exchanges between the rock and the earth cannot be neglected.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation of Energy Physics Lab VI
    Conservation of Energy Physics Lab VI Objective This lab experiment explores the principle of energy conservation. You will analyze the ¯nal speed of an air track glider pulled along an air track by a mass hanger and string via a pulley falling unhindered to the ground. The analysis will be performed by calculating the ¯nal speed and taking measurements of the ¯nal speed. Equipment List Air track, air track glider with a double break 25mm flag, set of hanging masses, one photogate with Smart Timer, ruler, string, mass balance, meter stick Theoretical Background The conservation principles are the most powerful concepts to have been developed in physics. In this lab exercise one of these conservation principles, the conservation of energy, will be explored. This experiment explores properties of two types of mechanical energy, kinetic and potential energy. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Any moving object has kinetic energy. When an object undergoes translational motion (as opposed to rotational motion) the kinetic energy is, 1 K = Mv2: (1) 2 In this equation, K is the kinetic energy, M is the mass of the object, and v is the velocity of the object. Potential energy is dependent on the forces acting on an object of mass M. Forces that have a corresponding potential energy are known as conservative forces. If the force acting on the object is its weight due to gravity, then the potential energy is (since the force is constant), P = Mgh: (2) 2 Conservation of Energy In this equation, P is the potential energy, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the distance above some reference position were the potential energy is set to zero.
    [Show full text]
  • Distributed Generation: Glossary of Terms
    Distributed Generation: Glossary of Terms Items with an asterisk (*) are terms as defined by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates independent and impartial energy information to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding of energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. Additional definitions are available online in EIA’s glossary of terms. Avoided Cost The incremental cost for a utility to produce one more unit of power. For example, because a qualifying facility (QF) as defined under the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act or an Alternate Energy Production Facility and as defined in Iowa Code §476.42, reduces the utility’s need to produce this additional power themselves, the price utilities pay for QF power has been set to the avoided or marginal cost. Backfeed When electric power is being induced into the local power grid, power flows in the opposite direction from its usual flow. Backup Generator A generator that is used only for test purposes, or in the event of an emergency, such as a shortage of power needed to meet customer load requirements.* Backup Power Electric energy supplied by a utility to replace power and energy lost during an unscheduled equipment outage.* Baseload Generation (Baseload Plant) Generation from a plant, usually housing high-efficiency steam-electric units, which is normally operated to take all or part of the minimum load of a system, and which consequently produces electricity at an essentially constant rate and runs continuously. These units are operated to maximize system mechanical and thermal efficiency and minimize system operating costs.* Biomass Organic nonfossil material of biological origin constituting a renewable energy source.* Central Station Generation Production of energy at a large power plant and transmitted through infrastructure to a widely distributed group of users.
    [Show full text]
  • 7-7 Combining Energy and Momentum to Analyze Some Situations, We Apply Both Energy Conservation and Momentum Conservation in the Same Problem
    Answer to Essential Question 7.6: A whole-vector approach, not splitting the velocity and momentum vectors into components, would also work (see End-of-Chapter Exercise 58). 7-7 Combining Energy and Momentum To analyze some situations, we apply both energy conservation and momentum conservation in the same problem. The trick is to know when to apply energy conservation (and when not to!) and when to apply momentum conservation. Consider the following Exploration. EXPLORATION 7.7 – Bringing the concepts together Two balls hang from strings of the same length. Ball A, with a mass of 4.0 kg, is swung back to a point 0.80 m above its equilibrium position. Ball A is released from rest and swings down and hits ball B. After the collision, ball A rebounds to a height of 0.20 m above its equilibrium position and ball B swings up to a height of 0.050 m. Let’s use g = 10 m/s2 to simplify the calculations. Step 1 – Sketch a diagram of the situation. This is shown in Figure 7.14. Step 2 – Our goal is to find the mass of ball B. Can we find the mass by setting the initial gravitational potential energy of ball A equal to the sum of the final potential energy of ball A and the final potential energy of ball B? Explain why or why not. The answer to the question is no. We can use energy conservation to help solve the problem, but setting the mechanical energy before the collision equal to the mechanical energy after the collision is assuming too much.
    [Show full text]
  • A Formulation of Noether's Theorem for Fractional Problems Of
    A Formulation of Noether’s Theorem for Fractional Problems of the Calculus of Variations∗ Gast˜ao S. F. Frederico Delfim F. M. Torres [email protected] [email protected] Department of Mathematics University of Aveiro 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal Abstract Fractional (or non-integer) differentiation is an important concept both from theoretical and applicational points of view. The study of problems of the calculus of variations with fractional derivatives is a rather recent subject, the main result being the fractional necessary optimality con- dition of Euler-Lagrange obtained in 2002. Here we use the notion of Euler-Lagrange fractional extremal to prove a Noether-type theorem. For that we propose a generalization of the classical concept of conservation law, introducing an appropriate fractional operator. Keywords: calculus of variations; fractional derivatives; Noether’s theo- rem. Mathematics Subject Classification 2000: 49K05; 26A33. 1 Introduction The notion of conservation law – first integral of the Euler-Lagrange equations – is well-known in Physics. One of the most important conservation laws is the arXiv:math/0701187v1 [math.OC] 6 Jan 2007 integral of energy, discovered by Leonhard Euler in 1744: when a Lagrangian L(q, q˙) corresponds to a system of conservative points, then −L(q, q˙)+ ∂2L(q, q˙) · q˙ ≡ constant (1) holds along all the solutions of the Euler-Lagrange equations (along the ex- tremals of the autonomous variational problem), where ∂2L(·, ·) denote the par- tial derivative of function L(·, ·) with respect to its second argument. Many other examples appear in modern physics: in classic, quantum, and optical ∗Research report CM06/I-04, University of Aveiro.
    [Show full text]