Sandbox
Can simple rules be unpredictable?
Hang a pendulum from a pendulum. The equations are exact and nothing is random, yet a twin started a hair away soon does something completely different.
About this sandbox
A pendulum hanging from a pendulum, with a twin started a thousandth of a radian away. The equations are exact and nothing is random, yet the two soon swing completely differently: chaos.
Things to try
- Try the wild start, then the gentle one.
- Balance it upside down and let go.
- Change the masses and arm lengths.
More in Swings and wobbles: Spring, Pendulum. See every sandbox, or type your own equation in Free mode.