Here's an explanation you can't argue with Paul.

1) I make an origami structure out of paper.
2) It's pretty strong, I can put a 8kg bottle of water on it without it collapsing
3) I put a heavier 9kg bottle on it, and it crushes into a pancake
4) I conclude that it can support 80N (weight of 8kg).
5) I insert this structure between the mass and the accelerator. It's like a buffer which the accelerator pushes on instead of directly on the mass.
6) The structure will not collapse during the entire 50s acceleration.
7) Therefore it is not experiencing any force greater than 90N.
8) Therefore there is no 4000N force on it.

Last edited by kallog; 09/30/11 05:13 AM.