Mechanics Dynamics

1.3.25-01 Coupled Pendula

What you can learn about

 Spiral spring
 Gravity pendulum
 Spring constant
 Torsional vibration
 Torque
 Beat
 Angular velocity
 Angular acceleration
 Characteristic frequency

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 differ-
ent coupling factors using a y/t
recorder. The coupling factors are
determined by different methods.

Tasks:
1. To determine the spring constant
of the coupling spring.
2. To determine and to adjust the
characteristic frequencies of the
uncoupled pendula.
3. To determine the coupling factors
for various coupling-lengths using
a) the apparatus constants
b) the angular frequencies for
inphase and in opposite
phase vibration
c) the angular frequencies of the
beat mode.
4. To check the linear relation
between the square of the
What you need: coupling-lengths and
a) the particular frequencies of
Pendulum w. recorder connection 02816.00 2
the beat mode
Helical spring, 3 N/m 02220.00 1
l = 30 cm b) the square of the frequency for
Rod with hook 02051.00 1 in opposite phase vibration.
Weight holder f. slotted weights 02204.00 1 5. To determine the pendulums
Slotted weight, 10 g, black 02205.01 5 characteristic frequency from the
Recorder, tY, 2 channel 11415.95 1 vibrational modes with coupling
and to compare this with the
Power supply 0-12 V DC/6 V, 12 V AC 13505.93 1 characteristic frequency of the
Bench clamp -PASS- 02010.00 2 uncoupled pendula.
Support rod -PASS-, square, l = 630 mm 02027.55 2 l = 60 cm
Right angle clamp -PASS- 02040.55 2
Measuring tape, l = 2 m 09936.00 1
Connecting cord, l = 1000 mm, yellow 07363.02 4
Connecting cord, l = 1000 mm, red 07363.01 2
Connecting cord, l = 1000 mm, blue 07363.04 2

Complete Equipment Set, Manual on CD-ROM included l = 90 cm Amplitude curves of the vibrations of
Coupled Pendula P2132501 coupled pendula in the beat case for
three different coupling lengths l as
a function of time.
Speed of recorder: t = 10 s/Div.
40 Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE Systeme GmbH & Co. KG D - 37070 Gttingen
 LEP
Coupled Pendula 1.3.25
-01

Related topics Slotted weight,10 g, black 02205.01 5

Spiral spring, gravity pendulum, spring constant, torsional Recorder, tY, 2 channel 11415.95 1
vibration, torque, beat, angular velocity, angular acceleration, Power supply 0-12 V DC/6 V, 12 V AC 13505.93 1
characteristic frequency. Bench clamp -PASS- 02010.00 2
Support rod -PASS-, square, l = 630 mm 02027.55 2
Right angle clamp -PASS- 02040.55 2
Principle
Measuring tape, l = 2 m 09936.00 1
Two equal gravity pendula with a particular characteristic fre- Connecting cord, l = 1000 mm, yellow 07363.02 4
quency are coupled by a soft spiral spring. The amplitudes Connecting cord, l = 1000 mm, red 07363.01 2
of both pendula are recorded as a function of time for various Connecting cord, l = 1000 mm, blue 07363.04 2
vibrational modes and different coupling factors using a y/t
recorder. The coupling factors are determined by different
Tasks
methods.
1. To determine the spring constant of the coupling spring.
Equipment 2. To determine and to adjust the characteristic frequencies
Pendulum w. recorder connection 02816.00 2 of the uncoupled pendula.
Helical spring, 3 N/m 02220.00 1
3. To determine the coupling factors for various coupling-
Rod with hook 02051.00 1
lengths using
Weight holder f. slotted weights 02204.00 1 a) the apparatus constants
b) the angular frequencies for
inphase and in opposite
phase vibration
Fig. 1: Experimental set-up for the measurement of the vibrational period of coupled c) the angular frequencies of
pendula. the beat mode.
4. 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 frequen-
cy for in opposite phase
vibration.
5. To determine the pendulums
characteristic frequency from
the vibrational modes with
coupling and to compare this
with the characteristic fre-
quency of the uncoupled pen-
dula.

PHYWE series of publications Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE SYSTEME GMBH & Co. KG D-37070 Gttingen 21325-01 1
 LEP
1.3.25 Coupled Pendula
-01

Set-up and procedure Fig. 2: Diagram of coupled pendula at rest.

Before measurement can begin, the exact value of the spring
constant DF of the coupling spring has to be determined. A
supporting rod is fixed to the edge of table by means of a
bench clamp. The spring is suspended on the rod from a hook
which is attached to the supporting rod via a right angle
clamp. Applying Hooks law
F = DF x
the spring constant DF can be calculated if the extension x of
the spring is measured for different slotted weights attached
to the spring.
The pendula are then set up without coupling springs as
shown in Fig. 1. To record the amplitudes without any time
delay one of the pens is pulled out of its holder till the record-
ing of this pen is on-line with the recording of the other pen.
The zero-position of each recording channel is approximate-
ly at the center of a paper half. The input sockets of the pen-
dula are now switched in parallel to the DC-output of the
power supply unit. The yellow output sockets of the pendula
are connected to the recorder. The DC-output voltage of the
power supply unit is adjusted to 10 V. For the channels CH 1
and CH 2, a value of 1 V is selected as the measuring range
on the recorder. The paper speed should be 1 mm/sec. The
zero-adjustments have to be reset on the recorder with the
help of the potentiometer of the pendula. Finally the pendula
are only deflected to such an extent that the individual ampli-
tudes do not exceed the paper width available.
To set the pendula into vibration the pendula rods are touched In all three cases the vibrations have to be recorded for at
with the finger-tips on their upper third and simultaneously least three or four minutes. From the plotted curves the mean
moved to and fro till the desired amplitudes have been estab- values for the corresponding vibrational periods can be deter-
lished. In this way transverse vibrations can be avoided. In mined.
view of the subsequent experiments with coupled pendula
care should be taken already at this stage to ensure that the Theory and evaluation
pendula are oscillating in the same plane. If two gravity pendula P1 and P2 with the same angular char-
From the plotted curves the period T0 is determined several acteristic frequency W0 are coupled by a spring, for the posi-

times for each pendulum. The mean values of the periods, T0, tion of rest and small angle deviation ~ due to the presence of
of both pendula have to be identical within the limits of error. gravity and spring-tension we have the following torques
If deviations are observed, the lengths of the pendulum rods (Fig. 2):
have to be adjusted. This is done by detaching the counter nut
on the threaded rod of the pendulum weight, adjusting the torque due to gravity:
pendulum length and manually retightening the counter nut.
Ms,0 = m g L sin f0  m g Lf0 (1)
For the performance of the experiments with coupled pendu-
la, the coupling spring is fixed to the plastic sleeves on the torque due to spring-tension:
pendulum rods at a point equidistant from the pendulums ful-
crum. Furthermore the zero-positions have to be readjusted. MF,0 = DF x0 l cos f0  DF x0 l
It has to be insured that there is no electric conductivity
between the pendula. DF = spring constant
x0 = extension of the spring
The amplitudes as a function of time are to be recorded for dif- l = coupling length
ferent coupling lenghts l using the following initial conditions: m = pendulum mass
A Both pendula are deflected with the same amplitude to the L = pendulum lengh
same side and simultaneously released. (in- phase vibra- g = acceleration due to gravity
tion) f0 = angle between the vertical and the position of
B. Both pendula are deflected with the same amplitude but in rest
opposite directions and simultaneously released. (in
opposite phase vibration) If P1 is now deflected by f1 and P2 by f2 (see Fig. 2) and sub-
C. One pendulum remains at rest. The second pendulum is sequently released, we have because of
deflected and released (beat mode). Here satisfactory $
results can only be achieved if during the preparation both If M
pendula have been properly adjusted
in such a way that
they have in fact the same period T0. I = moment of inertia of a pendulum around its fulcrum

2 21325-01 PHYWE series of publications Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE SYSTEME GMBH & Co. KG D-37070 Gttingen
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Coupled Pendula 1.3.25
-01

I f1  M1   mgLf1  DFl2 1f2  f1 2

$ accordance with (3), the angular frequency
(2)
vc = 2v20  2 72 (7b)
I f2  M2   mgLf2  DFl2 1f2  f1 2
$

depends on the coupling length l.

Introducing the abbreviations
mgL DFl2
v20  and 2  (3)
I I

we obtain from Eqs. (2)

f1  v20f2   72 1f2  f1 2
$
(4)

f2  v20f2   72 1f2  f1 2
$

At t = 0 the following three initial conditions are to be realized

l = 30 cm
successively.

A: inphase vibration

f1 = f2 = fA ; f1 - f2 = 0

B: in opposite phase vibration

f1 = f2 = fA ; f1 - f2 = 2fA (5)

C: beat mode

f1 = fA ; f2 = 0; f1 - f2 = fA

The general solutions of the system of differential equations (4)

with the initial conditions (5) are:

A: f1(t ) = f2(t) = fA cos v0t (6a)

l = 60 cm

B: f1(t ) = fA cos a 2v20  2 72 t b (6b)

f2(t ) = fA cos a 2v20  2 72 t b

2v20  2 72  v0
C: f1(t ) = fA cos a tb (6c)
2

2v20  2 72  v0
cos a tb
2

2v20  2 72  v0
f2(t ) = fA sin a tb
2

2v20  2 72  v0
sin a tb l = 90 cm
2
Comment
A: inphase vibration
Both pendula vibrate inphase with the same amplitude and
with the same frequency vg. The latter is identical with the
angular characteristic frequency v0 of the uncoupled pen-
dula.
vg = v0 (7a)

B: in opposite phase vibration Fig. 3: Amplitude curves of the vibrations of coupled pendula
Both pendula vibrate with the same amplitude and with the in the beat mode for three different coupling lengths l
same frequency vc but there is a phase-difference of p. In as a function of time. Speed of recorder: t = 10 s/Div.

PHYWE series of publications Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE SYSTEME GMBH & Co. KG D-37070 Gttingen 21325-01 3
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1.3.25 Coupled Pendula
-01

2p p 2p
l/cm Tg = T0/s Tc/s = vc/s-1 T1/s = v1/s-1 T2/s = v2/s-1
Tc T1 T2

30 2.024 1.978 3.177 80.75 0.039 2.000 3.142

40 2.019 1.934 3.249 45.74 0.069 1.977 3.178
50 2.028 1.897 3.312 29.79 0.106 1.969 3.191
60 2.027 1.841 3.413 20.76 0.151 1.944 3.232
70 2.028 1.800 3.491 15.59 0.202 1.925 3.264
80 2.023 1.736 3.619 12.29 0.256 1.889 3.326
90 2.021 1.679 3.742 9.85 0.319 1.867 3.365
Tab. 1

DF l 2 v2c v20 2v1v2 (K1 K2) 100 (K1 K3) 100

l/cm K1  K2  K3 
mgL DF l 2
v2c  v20 v21  v22 K1 K1

30 0.0249 0.0245 0.0249 2.5 0

40 0.0435 0.0423 0.0432 2.8 0.7
50 0.0664 0.0636 0.0661 4.2 0.5
60 0.0928 0.0888 0.0934 4.3 0.7
70 0.1223 0.1150 0.1230 6.0 0.6
80 0.1539 0.1415 0.1546 8.1 0.5
90 0.1872 0.1705 0.1878 8.9 0.3

Tab. 2

C: Beat mode Substituting Eq. (8a) and Eq. (8b) into Eq. (10) yields:
For weak coupling, e. g. v0 ! 7, the angular frequency of 2v1v2
the first factor can be expressed as follows: K (12)
v21  v2
2v20  2 72  v0 72
v1 =  (8a) (beat mode)
2 2v0

For the angular frequency of the second factor we get: To check the influence of coupling length on the frequencies
of the individual vibrational modes, we substitute Eq. (11) and
2v20  2 72  v0 72 Eq. (12) into Eq. (9). Then we get for the in opposite phase
v2 =  v0 + (8b) vibration:
2 2v0
2DFv20 2
Subsequently we get: v21  l  v20 (13)
mgL
v1 < v2
And for the beat case:
Fig. 3 shows the amplitudes f1 (t ) and f2 (t) of both pendula DF
as a function of time for the beat case and for different v1=v0 l2 (14)
2 mgL
coupling lenghts l. As coupling factor we define the ratio
as well as
DF l2
K (9) DF
mgL  DF l2 v2=v0 l 2 + v0 (15)
2 mgL
From Eq. (3) and Eq. (9) we get
The measurement of the inphase vibration of the uncoupled
72 pendula results in the following:
K (10)
v0  72
2
T0
The coupling factor K of Eq. (10) can be calculated from the T0=(2.026 0.003) s;  0.15 % (16)
frequencies of the individual vibrational modes. T0

2p
Substituting Eq. (7a) and Eq. (7b) into Eq. (10) results in or  v0 =(3.101 0.005) s-1
T0
v2c  v2g
K 2 (11)
vc  v2g Tab. 1 shows the mean values of the vibrational periods for
different coupling lengths l as well as the corresponding angu-
(in opposite phase vibration) lar frequencies.

4 21325-01 PHYWE series of publications Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE SYSTEME GMBH & Co. KG D-37070 Gttingen
 LEP
Coupled Pendula 1.3.25
-01

Fig. 4: Frequency of the opposite phase vibration v2c as a Fig. 5: Frequency v2 (beat mode) as a function of the coupling
function of the coupling length l 2. length l 2.

Comparison with Eq. (13) gives

v0
From the measured values of the inphase vibration (column 2) 2A = v0 = (3.105 0.093) s-1; = 3%
v0
we get
T0 In Fig. 5 the measured values v0 of Tab. 1 have been plotted
Tg  (2.024 0.004) s;  0.2 %
T0 versus l 2. The regression line

2p y = A + Bx
or  v0 =(3.104 0.006) s-1
T0
should confirm Eq. (15). We obtain:
Column 2 of Tab. 2 contains the coupling factors calculated v0
according to Eq. (9) based on the apparatus constants as a A = v0 = (3.12 0.16) s-1; = 5%
v0
function of the coupling length l.
B
B = (0.309 0.012) s-1 m-2; = 4%
We used: B

DF = 2.9 N/m (measured value) In Fig. 6 the measured values v1 of Tab. 1 are plotted as a
function of l 2. The straight line through the origin confirms Eq.
L = L1 = L2 = 104 cm (14).
(distance fulcrum center of pendulum weight) The results obtained for v0 using three different vibrational
modes for the coupled pendula are in good agreement with the
m = 1 kg angular characteristic frequency of the uncoupled pendula.
(mass of pendulum rod is not included)

g = 9.81 m/s

Columns 3 and 4 contain the coupling factors calculated from

the measured angular frequencies for the in opposite phase
vibration (Eq. 11) and the beat case (Eq. 12). Columns 5 and 6
show the corresponding percentage deviations.

In Fig. 4 the measured values v2c of Tab. 1 have been plotted

versus l 2. From the regressive line

y = A + Bx

we obtain
A
A = (9.64 0.58) s-2; = 6%
A
B Fig. 6: Frequency v1 (beat mode) as a function of the coupling
B = (5.369 0.005) s-2 m-2; = 0.1 % length l 2..
B

PHYWE series of publications Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE SYSTEME GMBH & Co. KG D-37070 Gttingen 21325-01 5
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1.3.25 Coupled Pendula
-01

6 21325-01 PHYWE series of publications Laboratory Experiments Physics PHYWE SYSTEME GMBH & Co. KG D-37070 Gttingen