Coupled Oscillators
Two identical oscillators (having the same natural frequency) are coupled together by a elastic spring. One mass is displaced from equilibrium while the other mass is kept at the original equilibrium location; both masses are released from rest. The resulting oscillation trades energy back and forth between the two oscillators -- the amplitude of the first oscillator will gradually decrease (eventually coming to a stop) while the amplitude of the other oscillator gradually increases (reaching a maximum) and then the reverse happens.
Here is a video of the coupling behavior of two identical pendulums connected by a soft spring.
Below is a an earlier version of the coupled pendulum demonstration -- but with a music soundtrack in the background . . . the soundtrack is a 1974 performance of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins Jazz Quintet with Rufus Harley on the bagpipes, but so many people complained about the annoying bagpipe music that I made a new version of the video (linked above) without the music in the background.
Two identical oscillators (having the same natural frequency) are coupled together by a elastic spring. One mass is displaced from equilibrium while the other mass is kept at the original equilibrium location; both masses are released from rest. The resulting oscillation trades energy back and forth between the two oscillators -- the amplitude of the first oscillator will gradually decrease (eventually coming to a stop) while the amplitude of the other oscillator gradually increases (reaching a maximum) and then the reverse happens.
Here is a video of the coupling behavior of two identical pendulums connected by a soft spring.
Below is a an earlier version of the coupled pendulum demonstration -- but with a music soundtrack in the background . . . the soundtrack is a 1974 performance of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" by jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins Jazz Quintet with Rufus Harley on the bagpipes, but so many people complained about the annoying bagpipe music that I made a new version of the video (linked above) without the music in the background.