The motion of two identical masses connected by an ideal string symmetrically placed over a corner

We introduce a novel, two-mass system that slides up an inclined plane while its center of mass moves down. The system consists of two identical masses connected by an ideal string symmetrically placed over a corner-shaped support. This system is similar to a double-cone that rolls up an inclined set of V-shaped rails. We find the double-cone's motion easy to demonstrate but difficult to analyze. Our example here is more straightforward to follow, and the experimental observations are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures; Accepted for publication in American Journal of Physic

Neutrino Mass Matrices in Models with Horizontal Symmetries

We have studied the most general neutrino mass matrices in models with SU(2) and SU(3) horizontal symmetries. Without going into the details of the models it is possible to write down the effective operators, which predict the structure of the Majorana neutrino mass matrices. Unlike other extensions of the standard model, the structure is now independent of the effective Yukawa couplings and depends entirely on the Higgs which gives mass to the other fermions. In the case of SU(3) symmetries the lowest dimensional operators are forbidden requiring a low mass scale for lepton number violation.Comment: 11 pages latex file, a few references added in 2nd versio