The paper is concerned with the analysis of nonconservative dynamical systems under the supposition that Hamilton's momentum vector can be expressed as the gradient of a scalar function which depends on the generalized coordinates and time. All components of the momentum vector are obtained as the solutions of a system of partial differential equations called the basic system. It is shown that the solution is known if a complete solution of the basic system is available. As an illustration of the theory, several examples of practical interest are solved. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.
