2026/05/28 by Neil G. R. Broderick, Benjamin Pollard, Karthik Sivasubramanian +4 · 1 voice
Physics and Astronomy · #Coupling (piping) #Double pendulum #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #Inverted pendulum #Minimal coupling #Pendulum #Physical system #Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics #Scientific Research and Discoveries #physics.ed-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1119/5.0271406
arxiv published 2026/05/28 · arxiv updated 2026/05/28 · openalex publication_date 2026/06/22 · openalex created_date 2026/06/23 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/23
We present a description and analysis of a coupled pendulum experiment that has been used at the University of Auckland for many years. Although similar experiments are very common in undergraduate physics labs, both the physical system and our teaching approach are, we believe, novel. Compared to other coupled pendulum experiments, it has the advantage that the coupling can easily be varied, allowing students to observe the changing nature of the normal modes and beat frequencies. Additionally, the system displays a surprising degree of complexity, making it of interest to more advanced students in laboratory courses that are augmented with computer-based numerical modeling and algebra software.