Originally Posted By: paul
well if you are speaking about a mass that is moving in one direction , then it changes its direction to the opposite direction then yes it does change by 2 units but not by +2 units.

I agree with the first part. But obviously 2 = +2 so the last line is nonsense.


Quote:

while the mass travels through the 1st turn its momentum
changes from -1 to 0 through the 1st half of the 1st turn.
then as the mass travels from half way through the 1st turn until it finishes passing through the 1st turn the mass
changes its momentum from 0 to +1

I agree

Quote:

its momentum has changed 2 units but it never did achieve
a +2 momentum change in either the (-) or the (+) direction.

Internal contradiction. Please use common terminology or different words so I know what you're trying to say. "momentum changed 2 units" is the same as "achieved a +2 momentum change" to me. Do you mean it never achieves a momentum of +2?



Quote:
Whatever momentum the mass transfers to the pipe, the pipe has to receive from the mass. TRUE

[quote]
If the mass gains 2, the pipe has to lose 2.
you mean if the accelerator causes the mass to gain 2 in one direction the pipe has to gain 2 in the opposite direction.

Yes. However we decided our accelerator only causes the mass to gain 1 in the negative direction (ie lose 1).


So you seem to agree with me but your conclusion is different. I say:

2)
After the 1st turn:
The mass has momentum +1
The pipe has momentum -1
The total momentum is +1 + -1 = 0

You say:

2)
After the 1st turn:
The mass has momentum +1
The pipe has momentum 0
The total momentum is +1 + 0 = +1


The mass gains 2, the pipe loses 1. Disagrees with what you said above.