Re: Explanation for Resonant Coupling?

["Thomas M. Philip" <tphilip@LAUSD.K12.CA.US>]

Thanks for the explanation, but a couple of more questions...

How do you explain the frequency with which the energy transfers from one
pendulum to the other?

Also, why can't both pendulums oscillate together so that their total
energy would
equal the inital energy?  Why does one slow down while the other picks up,
and then after a certain period, the process reverses?

On Mon, 11 Jan 1999, Homer B. James wrote:

> 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