Energy store & release facilitating movement in stick & slip friction, animal jump, and earthquake

Abstract

Nature abounds in examples of evolutionary designs (bio and non-bio) that evolve freely into configurations that provide easier and greater access for movement. The present article considers three seemingly unrelated phenomena that appear to obstruct flow: stick–slip friction, animal jump, and earthquake. The analysis is based on simple models of rhythmic energy store & release motion. In each case, the rhythm is the sole degree of freedom. The analyses show that stick–slip friction facilitates movement because the coefficient of static friction is greater than the coefficient of sliding friction. Next, all forms of animal locomotion under gravity consist of cycles of energy storage (jump to a height) and energy release (forward fall). The rhythm of the cycle is natural such that the forward advance of the animal is economical. Finally, the onset of the earthquake is modeled the same way, as shear stresses at the rock-on-rock interface, which are matched by bending stresses in the bent ‘blades’ of rock contained between fissures perpendicular to the interface. In sum, naturally evolved store & release rhythm facilitates the movement, contrary to the commonly held impression.