Much has been cussed and discussed over this issue, so I thought I'd try to dispel with the belief that using a too light "recoil" spring brings disaster by using simple math. I'll do this in two parts to keep it from going on for too long.
First, a primer on force forward and force backward. Whatever measure of force is applied forward is applied backward.
Let's use a hypothetical double ended muzzle loading cannon for this discussion.
Let's assume that the bore is perfectly smooth and perfectly concentric with no variation in diameter from one end to the other.
We place the charge at the precise geographic center of the bore and load two projectiles of equal mass/weight precisely equidistant from their respective muzzles. These cannon balls are likewise of equal diameter and smooth. They each weigh exactly 10 pounds.
When the charge is fired, the two cannon balls accelerate at identical rates and achieve identical speeds as they exit their muzzles.
Simple mass to mass ratio with equal force applied.
If we load the cannon again, this time with one solid ten pound ball and one hollow one pound ball and fire it again, the solid ball will accelerate at 1/10th the rate of the lighter ball, and will be moving at 1/10th the lighter ball's speed when the lighter ball exits. At that point, the heavier ball will cease to accelerate and probably won't make it to the muzzle, but that's meat for a different discussion. Right now, we're only dealing with mass to mass accelerations and speeds.
I'll let everyone ponder on these points for a while before we dive into part 2.
First, a primer on force forward and force backward. Whatever measure of force is applied forward is applied backward.
Let's use a hypothetical double ended muzzle loading cannon for this discussion.
Let's assume that the bore is perfectly smooth and perfectly concentric with no variation in diameter from one end to the other.
We place the charge at the precise geographic center of the bore and load two projectiles of equal mass/weight precisely equidistant from their respective muzzles. These cannon balls are likewise of equal diameter and smooth. They each weigh exactly 10 pounds.
When the charge is fired, the two cannon balls accelerate at identical rates and achieve identical speeds as they exit their muzzles.
Simple mass to mass ratio with equal force applied.
If we load the cannon again, this time with one solid ten pound ball and one hollow one pound ball and fire it again, the solid ball will accelerate at 1/10th the rate of the lighter ball, and will be moving at 1/10th the lighter ball's speed when the lighter ball exits. At that point, the heavier ball will cease to accelerate and probably won't make it to the muzzle, but that's meat for a different discussion. Right now, we're only dealing with mass to mass accelerations and speeds.
I'll let everyone ponder on these points for a while before we dive into part 2.
