MAKE: Blog: HOW TO - Build your own Chaos Machine

HOW TO - Build your own Chaos Machine

A Double Pendulum, a.k.a. a Chaotic Pendulum, is a simple, jointed pendulum used to study dynamic systems/chaos theory. It's also just a really cool widget that's fun to watch.

Not to be confused, BTW, with Steve Jackson's (of Steve Jackson Games fame) Chaos Machine, which is an entirely different mechanical animal.

The Chaos Machine (Double Pendulum) - Link

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Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: alexsand on September 7, 2007 at 10:34 AM

It would be neat to put an LED at the tip of the pendulum, turn off the lights, and film the path taken by the LED.

Posted by: garethb2 on September 7, 2007 at 10:49 AM

That's one of the first things I thought of, too. I bet that's been done, probably frequently. A great way to study motion is a chaotic system.

Posted by: alexsand on September 7, 2007 at 12:32 PM

A second LED at the joint would be interesting too.

Posted by: Luke_Luck on September 7, 2007 at 12:49 PM

Cliff Pickover gave it the name.

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