According to my friend, as the frequencys of 2 connected systems come closer together, the amplitude of their osccilations would tend to infinity. We tried to come up with a real example -
If I stood on the end of a diving board and bounced up and down, then at the same time swung around a brick on a piece of rope, in such a way that the oscilations of each system matched, would I theoretically be flung into space?
2007-10-21 02:15:13 · 4 answers · asked by none 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Theoretically your friend is correct. Just like Archimedes once (maybe twice since I was not there) mentioned that by having a very long lever and a proper pivot point he could move the Earth.
The problem is maintaining not only the frequency of osculation but the phase as well.
Keep in mind that energy is proportional to the mass you are oscillating, magnitude and frequency. With every matching swing and bounce you keep on adding energy to the board.
Curiously, you don't have to match the frequency. Integer multiples of natural frequency are also contributing factors.
Theoretically possible practically however is a bit difficult.
2007-10-21 02:54:01 · answer #1 · answered by Edward 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The total amplitude would vary between difference and the sum of the individual amplitudes of the two signals.
2007-10-21 02:53:19 · answer #2 · answered by efes_haze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
???
Huh??
As the frequencies become closer and closer together, their vector components still add the same way and, if both frequencies are identical and perfectly in phase, the total amplitude will simply be the sum of the two amplitudes.
Where did your friend get the notion that they 'tended to infinity'?
Doug
2007-10-21 02:35:32 · answer #3 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes
but it'll breaking before you travel to space
2007-10-21 02:24:35 · answer #4 · answered by dr-Fouad 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋