Self-driven configurational dynamics in frustrated spring-mass systems.

Saporta-Katz, Ori; Moriel, Avraham · Phys Rev E · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Various physical systems relax mechanical frustration through configurational rearrangements. We examine such rearrangements via Hamiltonian dynamics of simple internally stressed harmonic four-mass systems. We demonstrate theoretically and numerically how mechanical frustration controls the underlying potential energy landscape. Then, we examine the harmonic four-mass systems' Hamiltonian dynamics and relate the onset of chaotic motion to self-driven rearrangements. We show such configurational dynamics may occur without strong precursors, rendering such dynamics seemingly spontaneous.