About the dissipative Newton equation

TL;DR

This paper develops a thermodynamic framework for classical mechanics, introducing a dissipative extension that predicts a new force-dependent damping effect, which can be experimentally tested and unifies several known equations.

Contribution

It presents a thermodynamic basis for classical mechanics, deriving a dissipative theory that generalizes Newtonian mechanics and predicts testable damping effects.

Findings

Predicted a force-dependent damping coefficient.

Designed an experiment with a torsion balance to test the effect.

Unified several known equations as special cases.

Abstract

The thermodynamic basis of classical mechanics is presented. In this framework, ideal Newtonian mechanics emerges as the zero-dissipation limit of a more general, dissipative theory. The thermodynamic approach predicts a novel dissipative contribution to the momentum that depends on the applied force, leading to a damping coefficient with a specific, experimentally testable dependence on the inertial mass and the spring constant. A torsion balance experiment with variable moment of inertia has been designed to measure this effect. Several known equations, including a thermodynamic version of the Eliezer-Ford-O'Connell equation of radiation reaction, are recovered as special cases.