Re: Inertial reaction
Grant Fraser ( Grantham_Fraser@bc.sympatico.ca )
Wed, 11 Mar 1998 12:47:07 -0800
>
> Hi Jim and all,
>
> Assume the beam is 'infinitely stiff', i.e. it will not flex on impact (for
> the sake of clarity). Also assume that there are no losses in the pivot or
> in windage.
>
> Obviously when a falling mass impacts the beam there is a transfer of
> energy from the gained inertial momentum (gravitational energy) of the
> falling mass to the beam. There is a reaction in the beam. Because both
> ends of the beam are subject to the same reaction from two equal falling
> masses, the bean should not move (without any spring/catch mechanism). This
> is quite obvious as the energy/force equation on both ends of the beam are
> equal when both masses are equal, are dropped at the same time and from the
> same height. What is not so obvious (to me at least) is what happens to the
> beam when there is a spring/catch situated at one end of the beam that is
> capable of capturing and storing ALL of the gained inertial momentum of one
> of the falling masses.
>
> If reaction in the beam is the result of gained inertial momentum being
> transfered from the falling masses to the beam on impact, then what will
> the beam do if the gained inertial momentum of one mass is captured and
> stored? Does the beam still experience a balanced reaction to the falling
> masses or will the beam experience an unbalanced reaction due to the
> captured energy in the spring/catch mechanism?
>
> Anybody?
>
> Bill.
If the beam is rigid and cannot vibrate there is no movement to transfer
to a spring mechanism. All of the energy from the impact would be
transfered to the pivot point.
Grant:?>