Study of the Beat Phenomenon Using an Oscillating Movement of Coupled Pendulums and Distance Sensors with a MicroLab Interface

The objective of this experimental work is to study the oscillatory motion of a coupled pendulum using an electronic distance sensor with the MicroLab interface. The distance sensor used is able to easily sensor the distance of objects with high accuracy. The coupled pendulum consists of a coupling of two simple pendulums connected by a torsion wire. The connection of this sensor with the MicroLab board generates an alternating signal that allows us to easily visualize the oscillatory motion curve in the MicroLab interface. The results can be used to calculate the period, amplitude and phase of the oscillatory movement. The phenomenon of flapping is studied in this work. The phase shifts of two oscillations with slightly different amplitudes are superimposed, resulting in a periodic variation of the amplitude. This oscillatory movement can also have analogies with certain biophysical systems, such as heartbeats or respiratory movements. This similarity can be used to model the behaviour of these biological systems, using principles derived from the dynamics of coupled pendulums. Our experimental study, using the MicroLab interface, enables us to obtain precise results that are compatible with the usual conventional results, in a quicker and less expensive time. Our results are useful for applications in mechanical systems and intelligent medicine.