Instructions
The mass ratio is M=3m. Commonly
known as the LEMMON IMPACT APPARATUS.
If either mass is pulled back and
allowed to swing into the other, the one initially at rest will return
to rest upon their second and subsequent even-numbered collisions.
(Think time-reversal invariance.)
The significance of the mass
ratio of M=3m is that if the small mass is allowed to collide with the
big one (when the big one is at rest initially), then on first
collision they both move in opposite directions with a speed of half
the initial speed of the small one. Then on their second collision, the
big mass is back at rest and the small one moves out at its original
speed.
Hence one has speed halving and
doubling on successive collisions, which is judged as pleasing to our
eyes according to Professor Lemmon.
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