How The Pendulum Works

摘要

Our chaotic pendulum consists of three subsystems: the mechanical pendulum itself, with a doughnut-shaped permanent magnet serving as the plumb bob, mounted on a wooden arm; a power supply that charges capacitors and powers the electronics; and the pendulum driver electronics. The driver electronics detect when the plumb bob is transiting a central electromagnet, and discharges the capacitors through this electromagnet to repel the plumb bob and sustain its motion.