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Nonconservative Lagrangian Mechanics: A generalized function approach

David W. Dreisigmeyer, Peter M. Young

physics.class-pharXiv:physics/0306142

Abstract

We reexamine the problem of having nonconservative equations of motion arise from the use of a variational principle. In particular, a formalism is developed that allows the inclusion of fractional derivatives. This is done within the Lagrangian framework by treating the action as a Volterra series. It is then possible to derive two equations of motion, one of these is an advanced equation and the other is retarded.

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