Mechanics/Dynamics/Motion

Coupled Pendulums

COUPLED PENDULUMS allows visitors to experiment with the oscillation of two vertical rods. The rods can swing together or opposed. When only one rod is pulled forward and released, it does not continue swinging but forces the other rod to swing while it comes to a rest; that is, the rods exchange energy. The rods can be driven by a motor and the user can also experiment to find the frequencies that make the bars swing the most.