Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8057323 | Aerospace Science and Technology | 2018 | 13 Pages |
Abstract
Variable mass systems are a classic example of open systems in classical mechanics with rockets being a standard practical example. Due to the changing mass, the angular momentum of these systems is not generally conserved. Here, we show that the angular momentum vector of a free variable mass system is fixed in inertial space and, thus, is a partially conserved quantity. It is well known that such conservation rules allow simpler approaches to solving the equations of motion. This is demonstrated by using a graphical technique to obtain an analytic solution for the second Euler angle that characterizes nutation in spinning bodies.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Authors
Angadh Nanjangud, Fidelis O. Eke,