Coupled Oscillations Concept

Demonstrations in Coupled Oscillations

Wilberforce pendulum: long helical spring suspended from a rod and clamp system, with a cylindrical brass bob at the bottom fitted with a horizontal cross-bar carrying adjustable masses

Wilberforce Pendulum

Demonstrates coupled oscillations and energy transfer between two modes of vibration. Students observe energy periodically transferring between vertical bouncing and torsional twisting when the mode frequencies are matched.
Long-exposure photo of the spring-mass system in motion, showing a complex blur pattern as the masses oscillate in both vertical and horizontal modes simultaneously

Autoparametric Resonance

A spring-mass system spontaneously transfers energy between vertical bouncing and pendulum swinging modes through autoparametric resonance. Demonstrates parametric excitation, mode coupling, and the 2:1 frequency condition for energy transfer between …
Front view: five metronomes in a row on a white foam board balanced on two soda cans inside a clear plastic tank

Coupled Metronomes

Five metronomes set to the same tempo start out of phase on a movable platform. Within about a minute, weak mechanical coupling through the platform causes them to synchronize spontaneously. …
Two cylindrical pendulum masses (one with red tape, one with blue tape) hanging from metal rods on a horizontal bar, connected by a coiled spring near the bottom, mounted on a frame with two vertical posts and a white base

Coupled Pendula

Two pendula coupled by a spring demonstrate periodic energy transfer between oscillators. Students observe beat patterns, normal modes (symmetric and antisymmetric), and complete energy exchange through weak coupling.