Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
04:15
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Engineering Education via WebVR-Based Online Laboratories
Published on: February 23, 2024
1.8K
Experimental multistable states for small network of coupled pendula.
Dawid Dudkowski1, Juliusz Grabski1, Jerzy Wojewoda1
1Division of Dynamics, Technical University of Lodz, Stefanowskiego 1/15, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.
Scientific Reports
|July 23, 2016
Summary
Researchers observed multistable chimera-like states in simple pendulum experiments. These findings, demonstrated in small networks, suggest broader applicability of these complex dynamical patterns in physical and engineering systems.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Nonlinear Dynamics
- Complex Systems
Background:
- Chimera states are complex dynamical patterns in coupled identical oscillators, characterized by coexisting synchronous and incoherent behaviors.
- While typically observed in large ensembles, weak chimera states have recently been found in smaller systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence of chimera-like states in small networks of identical mechanical oscillators.
- To demonstrate that partial frequency synchronization can be observed in simple experimental setups.
Main Methods:
- Experimental observation of multistable states in coupled pendula.
- Mathematical modeling of the experimental system using elementary dynamical equations derived from Newton's laws.
Main Results:
- Identical mechanical oscillators (pendula) exhibited multistable states demonstrating partial frequency synchronization.
- The observed phenomena were accurately described by a mathematical model based on fundamental physical laws.
Conclusions:
- Multistable chimera-like states are observable in small networks of identical mechanical oscillators.
- The underlying dynamics are governed by simple, ubiquitous equations relevant to various physical and engineering applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Simple Pendulum
8.4K
A simple pendulum consists of a small diameter ball suspended from a string, which has negligible mass but is strong enough to not stretch. In our daily life, pendulums have many uses, such as in clocks, on a swing set, and on a sinker on a fishing line.
The period of a simple pendulum depends on two factors: its length and the acceleration due to gravity. The period is completely independent of any other factors, such as mass or maximum displacement. For small displacements, a pendulum is...
The period of a simple pendulum depends on two factors: its length and the acceleration due to gravity. The period is completely independent of any other factors, such as mass or maximum displacement. For small displacements, a pendulum is...
8.4K
01:09Torsional Pendulum
7.7K
A torsional pendulum involves the oscillation of a rigid body in which the restoring force is provided by the torsion in the string from which the rigid body is suspended. Ideally, the string should be massless; practically, its mass is much smaller than the rigid body's mass and is neglected.
As long as the rigid body's angular displacement is small, its oscillation can be modeled as a linear angular oscillation. The amplitude of the oscillation is an angle. The role of mass is played...
As long as the rigid body's angular displacement is small, its oscillation can be modeled as a linear angular oscillation. The amplitude of the oscillation is an angle. The role of mass is played...
7.7K
01:06Forced Oscillations
8.2K
When an oscillator is forced with a periodic driving force, the motion may seem chaotic. The motions of such oscillators are known as transients. After the transients die out, the oscillator reaches a steady state, where the motion is periodic, and the displacement is determined.
8.2K
01:06Physical Pendulum
2.9K
When a rigid body is hanging freely from a fixed pivot point and is displaced, it oscillates similar to a simple pendulum and is known as a physical pendulum. The period and angular frequency of a physical pendulum are obtained by using the small-angle approximation and drawing parallels with a spring-mass system. The small-angle approximation (sinθ=θ) is valid up to about 14°.
When dealing with complicated systems, the mass moment of inertia is an important parameter, as it...
When dealing with complicated systems, the mass moment of inertia is an important parameter, as it...
2.9K
01:28Stability
441
The time response of a linear time-invariant (LTI) system can be divided into transient and steady-state responses. The transient response represents the system's initial reaction to a change in input and diminishes to zero over time. In contrast, the steady-state response is the behavior that persists after the transient effects have faded.
The stability of an LTI system is determined by the roots of its characteristic equation, known as poles. A system is stable if it produces a bounded...
The stability of an LTI system is determined by the roots of its characteristic equation, known as poles. A system is stable if it produces a bounded...
441
01:19Concept of Resonance and its Characteristics
6.9K
If a driven oscillator needs to resonate at a specific frequency, then very light damping is required. An example of light damping includes playing piano strings and many other musical instruments. Conversely, to achieve small-amplitude oscillations as in a car's suspension system, heavy damping is required. Heavy damping reduces the amplitude, but the tradeoff is that the system responds at more frequencies. Speed bumps and gravel roads prove that even a car's suspension system is not...
6.9K