  In this paper, we demonstrate, first in literature known to us, that
potential functions can be constructed in continuous dissipative chaotic
systems and can be used to reveal their dynamical properties. To attain this
aim, a Lorenz-like system is proposed and rigorously proved chaotic for
exemplified analysis. We explicitly construct a potential function
monotonically decreasing along the system's dynamics, revealing the structure
of the chaotic strange attractor. The potential function can have different
forms of construction. We also decompose the dynamical system to explain for
the different origins of chaotic attractor and strange attractor. Consequently,
reasons for the existence of both chaotic nonstrange attractors and nonchaotic
strange attractors are clearly discussed within current decomposition
framework.
