G2-08: DRIVEN NONLINEAR OSCILLATOR

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