Abstract. We discuss a piecewise-conserved constant of motion for a simple dissipative oscillatory mechanical system. The system is a harmonic oscillator with sliding (dry) friction. The piecewise-conserved constant of motion corresponds to the time average of the energy of the system during one half-period of the motion, and changes abruptly at the turning points of the motion. At late times the piecewise-conserved constant of motion degenerates to a constant of motion in the usual sense.

Print publication: Issue 4 (July 1999)
Received 8 April 1999