Continuous versus discrete time dynamical models of Newton's second fundamental law (Q4359649)

The author proves that there exist vertical plane \(C^1\) curves such that the classical Newton mechanics based on ordinary differential equations cannot uniquely determine the future motion of a particle sliding down under the effect of gravity. He gives as example a \(C^1\) concave curve with the tangent component of the gravity as function of arc length parameter given by \(F(s)=| s| ^{\frac{1}{3}}sgn(s)\) and uses the fact that the Cauchy problem \(\ddot s=F(s), \quad s(0)=0, \quad \dot s(0)=0\) has an infinite number of solutions. As possible solution of this paradox, the author shows that these unwelcome solutions are obtained by a limiting process from special orbits of the corresponding discrete time model, which obviously respect the wished determinism in the future, when the time period \(\Delta t\) goes to zero.