2016/12/02 by Angadh Nanjangud, Nanjangud, Angadh, Fidelis O. Eke +1
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Classical Physics (physics.class-ph) #Control and Dynamics of Mobile Robots #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #FOS: Physical sciences #Spacecraft Dynamics and Control
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1612.00884
openalex publication_date 2016/12/02 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Variable mass systems are a classic example of open systems in classical mechanics. The reaction forces due to mass variation propel ships, balloons, and rockets. Unlike free constant mass systems, the angular momentum of these systems is not of constant magnitude due to the change in mass. In this paper, we show that the angular momentum vector for such a system has a fixed direction in space and, thus, is partially conserved for both rigid and flexible, torque-free, variable mass systems. A potential use of this result is that it provides a suitable stationary reference frame against which the orientation of variable mass system could be measured.