Additional Info

• ID Code: G2-08
• Purpose: Demonstrate amplitude "jumps" and resonance hysteresis in Duffing's equation.
• Description: The clamped hacksaw blade with a magnet and mirror attached to its free end is a non-linear oscillator. A laser reflected off the mirror is used as an indicator of the motion. Driving the oscillator with a Wavetek sine generator using a small coil one can observe: (1) sudden changes in amplitude as the frequency is very slowly changed, and (2) hysteresis in the oscillation amplitude at a given frequency, which depends on whether the frequency is being increased or decreased. The frequency can be most readily measured with a digital meter measuring the period of the driving sine wave.
• Availability: Available
• References: (PIRA 3A95.45) See Demonstration Reference File for a plethora of articles covering the topics of non-linear oscillators and amplitude jumps.