The solution at revision #7421 of , by astrosander. This is not the current version.
For problem $2.5.9$
Beads of mass m_1, m_2, m_3 can slide along the horizontal spoke without friction, with m_1 \gg m_2 and m_3 \gg m_2. Determine the maximum velocities of the extreme beads, if at first they were at rest, and the middle bead had a velocity v. The blows are elastic.

Solutions of Savchenko Problems in Physics
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    <h3 id="back-link"><a href="/#2.5">$\leftarrow$Back</a></h3>

    <h3> Statement </h3>
    <p>
        $2.5.9^*.$ Beads of mass $m_1$, $m_2$, $m_3$ can slide along the horizontal spoke without friction, with $m_1 \gg m_2$ and $m_3 \gg m_2$. Determine the maximum velocities of the extreme beads, if at first they were at rest, and the middle bead had a velocity $v$. The blows are elastic.

For problem

    <h3>Solution</h3>
    <p>
        Let's consider the velocity of the center of mass $v_c$:


According to the problem we know that and , hence:

Since the velocity of the center of mass is approximately zero, it follows that:

Now let's write down the law of conservation of energy, since the collisions are elastic:

By expressing the velocity in equation (1) and substituting it into equation (2), we obtain the answer:

and

    <h4>Answer</h4>
    <p>
        $$v_1=v\sqrt{\frac{m_2m_3}{m_1(m_1+m_3)}}; \quad v_3=v\sqrt{\frac{m_2m_1}{m_3(m_1+m_3)}}$$
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: right; font-style: italic; font-size: 14;">   
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    </p>


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