PHYSICS LAB MANUALS

Normal Modes and Beats

Two pendulums of particular characteristic frequency coupled by a spiral spring is referred to as a coupled oscillator. This system has two characteristics frequencies, referred to as normal modes.

  1. In – phase oscillation: The phase difference is 0o.

  2. Out of phase oscillation: The phase difference is 180o.

An interesting case referred to as beats can also be observed, which a superposition of both the modes is.