Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Oscillatory motion of a camphor grain in a one-dimensional finite region
Yuki Koyano1, Tatsunari Sakurai1, Hiroyuki Kitahata1
1Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
Abstract:
The motion of a self-propelled particle is affected by its surroundings, such as boundaries or external fields. In this paper, we investigated the bifurcation of the motion of a camphor grain, as a simple actual self-propelled system, confined in a one-dimensional finite region. A camphor grain exhibits oscillatory motion or remains at rest around the center position in a one-dimensional finite water channel, depending on the length of the water channel and the resistance coefficient. A mathematical model including the boundary effect is analytically reduced to an ordinary differential equation. Linear stability analysis reveals that the Hopf bifurcation occurs, reflecting the symmetry of the system.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Damped Oscillations
Although friction and other non-conservative...
Types of Damping
Simple Harmonic Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion and Uniform Circular Motion
There is an easy way to produce simple harmonic motion by using uniform circular motion. For instance, consider a ball attached to a uniformly rotating...
Oscillations about an Equilibrium Position
Curvilinear Motion: Rectangular Components
As the car advances, its position evolves over time. Quantifying the car's velocity involves computing the...

