Metronomes started randomly synchronize after a short period of time as they influence each other through the side-to-side motion of their shared base.
Source: UCLA Physics & Astronomy
https://demoweb.physics.ucla.edu/content/160-spontaneous-synchronization
That was my thought, let’s set them to different speeds; that’s the experiment I want to do now. There should still be some synchronization, but would depend on the frequency ratios, … I’m ready to geek out and try them all.
Any have a few metronomes they can loan me?
@DavidM_yeg @wonderofscience I feel like the outcome will be some function of the frequencies. And the count of metronomes will be an amplitude modulator of each frequency.
Maybe there’s some wild Fourier thing to this as well, in terms of combining frequencies.
No metronome shares the same frequency of another to begin with. Because perfect manufacturing tolerances don't exist, even 2 made for "the same frequency" are out of alignment.
Putting *any* metronomes on a shared base like this will cause them to eventually sync up.
@waterluvian @atatassault @wonderofscience
In order for the phases to sync, the metronomes must temporarily swing at slightly different frequencies, even if they are tuned to the same frequency.
Thus, even if they are tuned to slightly different frequencies, they will eventually get in sync, at a common mean frequency, by the same physics.
@waterluvian @atatassault @wonderofscience
The key word is "slightly".
In your experiment, the 30 bpm metronome either will keep beating at ~30 bpm, but with slightly irregular period (the irregularities themselves roughly repeating at ~10 bpm); or it will eventually swing at 100 bpm too, but with a VERY small amplitude.
@david @wonderofscience
Wittner Taktell Super-Mini Series 880 in ruby red
Still had one on my Amazon wishlist, but couldn't justify the expense because apps have been good enough for me so far.
@alleycat @wonderofscience oh, so nice! Could you share the Amazon link, please? I searched on the US store, couldn’t find any. I would happily return that one I linked (which will deliver today), and order this one instead!
I know apps are, perhaps, better, and extensible. I love that mechanical sound, and physical feeling, though. 🙈
I'm in Germany, so a link is probably of no use.
Based on the W tuning fork logo I think it’s a Wittner Taktell Super-mini, a German model
still in production.
@wonderofscience. Interesting. What about this one?
@wonderofscience Especially when they are on a surface that is supported by rollers… 🥴
@wonderofscience Smart part of my brain: What an amazing scientific fact!
Dumb part of my brain: Those are haunted, GHOSTS!
@wonderofscience Slightly related, Ligeti's composition "Poème symphonique":
@wonderofscience I once read that something similar happens in pianos. The higher notes are double or triple stringed, and each string in the set is slightly detuned. The interactions via the shared sounding plate causes the note to persist longer than it otherwise would.
https://www.whyyouhearwhatyouhear.com/subpages/chapter19.html
b9chomps
Wonder of Science
Waterluvian
David Mitchell 
PirateJoie
AT-AT Assault 🏳️⚧️
Jorge Stolfi
ChookMother 🇦🇺🦘
Doug Baker - Elbows Up! 🇨🇦
João Victor Silva
David Collantes
alleycat🏳️🌈
Bat Triple Seven
SteveP 🇨🇦
Dan Bennett
(((Cindy Weinstein)))
Lisa Sass
PrinceOfDenmark
Drew Herzig
Deb has moved! (see profile) 🇨🇦
Alun Jones
JohnVoltz
Fubaroque
Ricki Yasha Tarr
mathew
Ian Molton
Kacey
Murray Lang
Ulrike
Exandra