Average-preserving symmetries and equipartition in linear Hamiltonian systems

Abstract

This paper analyzes equipartition in linear Hamiltonian systems in a deterministic setting. We consider the group of phase space symmetries of a stable linear Hamiltonian system, and characterize the subgroup of symmetries whose elements preserve the time averages of quadratic functions along the trajectories of the system. As a corollary, we show that if the system has simple eigenvalues, then every symmetry preserves averages of quadratic functions. As an application of our results to linear undamped lumped-parameter systems, we provide a novel proof of the virial theorem using symmetry. We also show that under the assumption of distinct natural frequencies, the time-averaged energies of two identical substructures of a linear undamped structure are equal. Examples are provided to illustrate the results.