Optimized High Tower model

In the high tower applet, the tower bodies are initialised at 10,000 km intervals, with cable tension zero. This results in radial oscillations in the tower. In the optimized tower model, the cables are pre-stressed so that radial acceleration is zero along the length of the tower. This cures the oscillation problem.

Each simulation is started/stopped by clicking on the Start/Stop button. With Motion trails unticked, bodies and cables are shown at their present location. In Show trails ticked, bodies and cable motion leaves a trail. The Hold option fixes the radial distance of the lowest body in the tower. The Feed option allows bodies to be fed into the base of a rising tower. The Release option breaks the cable connecting the lowest tower body to the planet. The Shatter option breaks all cables in a tower.

Applets can be restarted by returning to this page, and then reselecting them. Where the models have randomized initialization (as in the Gravitational model and the Elastic model), a new simulation starts each time the applet begins.