The motion of whips and chains (Q549227)

The partial differential equation equation describing the motion of a nonextensible string fixed at one point (a `whip') is studied. The problem presents some serious difficulties, and this paper gives the first (local in time) existence and uniqueness result for this equation, in an appropriate weighted Sobolev space. The method of proof employs the approximation of the partial differential equation by ordinary differential equations describing the motion of discrete chains (coupled pendula), and obtaining energy estimates for these systems which are independent of the number \(n\) of coupled pendula. The paper also includes interesting discussions of the background of the problem and of various directions for further research.