Pseudomomentum: origins and consequences

The balance of pseudomomentum is discussed and applied to simple elasticity, ideal fluids, and the mechanics of inextensible rods and sheets. A general framework is presented in which the simultaneous variation of an action with respect to position, time, and material labels yields bulk balance laws and jump conditions for momentum, energy, and pseudomomentum. The example of simple elasticity of space-filling solids is treated at length. The pseudomomentum balance in ideal fluids is shown to imply conservation of vorticity, circulation, and helicity, and a mathematical similarity is noted between the evaluation of circulation along a material loop and the J-integral of fracture mechanics. Integration of the pseudomomentum balance, making use of a prescription for singular sources derived by analogy with the continuous form of the balance, directly provides the propulsive force driving passive reconfiguration or locomotion of confined, inhomogeneous elastic rods. The conserved angular momentum and pseudomomentum are identified in the classification of conical sheets with rotational inertia or bending energy.

Automated summary

The paper discusses the balance of pseudomomentum in various contexts such as simple elasticity, ideal fluids, and mechanics of inextensible rods and sheets, presenting a general framework for simultaneous variation of an action with respect to position, time, and material labels. It is shown that pseudomomentum balance in ideal fluids implies conservation of vorticity, circulation, and helicity, with mathematical similarities noted between circulation evaluation and fracture mechanics. Integration of the pseudomomentum balance directly provides a propulsive force for passive reconfiguration or locomotion of confined, inhomogeneous elastic rods.