Studying the coupled oscillators effect
Simple to set up and highly effective, the coupled pendulums transfer energy
one to the other thanks to a thin string that couples them.
This system allows teachers to introduce the normal modes of
oscillation. The resultant motion corresponds to the composition of two
oscillations: the centre of mass motion and the relative motion of the
pendulums.
Order Code: 4941.16
Equipment needed
Main components
- Threatened rods
- Spheres for pendulum
- String
Normal modes: introduce the normal modes in the
simplest way, the coupled pendulum motion. The normal modes of oscillations is
a milestone concept in physics. The behaviour of the system can be deduced from
the data plot. At first sight, students can notice that the motion of pendulum
one (red plot) is symmetric to the motion of pendulum two (blue plot). After, we
should see that the maximum amplitude of the first one corresponds to the second
staying still and vice-versa. From our plot (e.g. the red one) we immediately
note the presence of two frequencies superimposed which are related to the
normal modes of oscillation.
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