Principle
Two equal gravity pendula with a particular characteristic
frequency are coupled by a "soft" spiral spring. The amplitudes of
both pendula are recorded as a function of time for various
vibrational modes and different coupling factors. The coupling
factors are determined by different methods.
Benefits
- Large and sturdy set-up suitable for demonstration and lab courses as well
- Live data-logging system to measure the oscillations of both pendula at once
Tasks
- To determine the spring constant of the coupling spring.
- To determine and to adjust the characteristic frequencies of
the uncoupled pendula.
- To determine the coupling factors for various coupling-lengths
using a) the apparatus constant, b) the angular frequencies for
"inphase"and "in opposite phase" vibration, c) the angular
frequencies of the beatmode.
- To check the linear relation between the square of the coupling
lengths and a) the particular frequencies of the beat mode, b) the
square of the frequency for "inopposite phase" vibration.
- To determine the pendulum's characteristic frequency from the
vibrational modes with coupling and to compare this with the
characteristic frequency of the uncoupled pendula.
What you can learn about
- Spiral spring
- Gravity pendulum
- Spring constant
- Torsional vibration
- Torque
- Beat
- Angular velocity
- Angular acceleration
- Characteristic frequency