Re: Explanation for Resonant Coupling?

["Homer B. James" <hbjst@POP.PITT.EDU>]

Conservation of Energy.  Assuming a loss-less system, as the first pendulum
decreases the second must increase to maintain the same initial energy
(potential).



At 03:33 PM 1/11/99 -0800, you wrote:
> I was wondering if someone could explain the following:
>
> Tie a string horizontally above the ground.  Tie two strings with small
> balls attached to them (pendulums) to the horizontal string.  Set one
> pendulum in motion.  Gradually it will come to a rest and the second
> pendulum will begin oscillating.  Then the second stops, the first resumes
> and so on.
>
> I was told it had to do with Resonant Coupling, but I still don't fully
> understand it.
>
> --Thomas
> tmphilip@prontomail.com
Homer B. (Jim) James                    www.pitt.edu/~hbjst/homepage.htm
Adjunct Professor of Physics/Physical Science
Community College of Allegheny County
Dept. of Physics and Physical Science