This lesson deals with what are commonly referred to as coupled pendulums, in which energy is transferred back-and-forth between the pendulums via the coupling. Pendulums coupled by springs are commonly studied in college physics classes during studies of simple harmonic motion. However, our lesson makes use of string-coupled pendulums, as they are easier and less expensive to construct. In this lesson, students show that the difference in the frequencies of the two fundamental modes of vibration is equal to the beat frequency of the coupled pendulums.
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