@hotienaughtie Yes and no. When isolated from each other, the metronome pendulums execute simple harmonic motion, since only the internal spring supplies the restoring force. But when they are coupled with the FoamCore board, each motion is complicated by the motion of the other metronomes, and so strictly speaking I don't think we can call it SHM at that point.
This is probably a very crazy and stupid question, but here it goes anyway: could there be somehow a parallel between this metronome synchronization effect and quantum entanglement of particles? I.e., particles become entangled = metronomes become synchronized? I know, I know, I keep getting these crazy ideas... and I don't really have a deep knowledge of quantum physics; physics was just a minor in my university undergraduate degree.
@alexandrempinto No quantum entanglement going on here. Just classical physics. The metronomes are coupled to each other by the board they're sitting on and the motion of one influences the motion of others. I'm not saying that the mechanism of synchronization is simple, but quantum entanglement is not the explanation.
@NatSciDemos I wasn't saying nor asking if quantum entanglement was the explanation to this phenomenon. I was asking if this phenomenon could be used as a metaphor to better understand quantum entanglement. But thanks for your feedback, anyway.
I am sorry if someone has already asked, or if it s a dumb question. Why do the de-synchronize after they are set back on the table? Are they not set to the same bpm?
@1k1r0 It just demonstrates that the metronomes are not 100% accurate. Being mechanical devices, there's always going to be a slight inaccuracy in their timing and thus, even though they're set for the same frequency, they will get out of synch with each other. The neat thing is that they stay in synch when slightly coupled to each other.
@NatSciDemos Exactly. @1k1r0 , another way to look at it is that the only thing that ever kept them in synch in the first place is the "coupling" with the help of the cylinders. If you've ever worked with engineering and tolerances, think of placing the metronomes on that board with the cylinders as a way of tightening the tolerance to 178 +/- .001 bpm, and without the cylinders it's like 178 +/- .5 bpm.
did the author of this notice the variation of movement from the left to right while the mets were in sync? I noticed an increased move every 4th beat. I'm very curious to hear if you recognized this and have an explanation.
Interesting sidelight - The electronic metronome was invented by a U.S. Navy Bandsman who became frustrated that a pendulum metronome wouldn't keep a steady beat on a heaving ship at sea.
@mateusvelloso In a paper entitled "Synchronization of metronomes," Am. J. Phys 70(10), 992-1000, James Pantaleone developed a mathematical model for the metronome system, and discusses how it provides a mechanical realization of the Kuramoto model for synchronization of biological oscillators.
Off course getting back to their initial frequencies after being replaced to the "ground" has nothing to do with mechanical faults and other things discussed here..It is as simple as that, their initial setup was set to a certain oscillation frequency, so, no other interference occurs and the metronomes return to the initial frequency.
Simple function of inertia—energy transferred to the cans from the motion of all syncronize to the dominant motion of two or three metronomes—then the others fall into place. Once the cans are removed, the five devices show their ‘not quite exact’ design and functioning.
@achjanadann They will be allowed to drift if not fixed to an immobile surface. If you picked one up and shook it, you wouldn't expect it to keep time!
I understand why the metronomes fall into step when they're placed on the cans, but why do they do the opposite when you remove the cans, considering they're all set to the same tempo?
@forebodingburger minor interference caused by lifting from the cans exaggerates over time - once syncronised, if you could move them perfectly from the cans, they should stay the same. Again small variances in the weights or accuracy in the metronomes would exaggerate over time causing them to unsync
Would that Ligeti were still with us to see and hear this. He wrote a piece for 100 metronomes which is quite amusing, but he didn't do any intentional intercoupling of them, other that having them on the same stage.
This also reminds me of an electronischer/author named Uzunoglu, who has been advocating an approach to certain electronic techniques involving synchronized oscillators. I tried to verify some of his claims in simulation, with intriguing, if poorly-determined, results.
@tospace2006 Good question. The soda cans allow the Foam Core to move with very little friction between it and the lab bench, allowing for mechanical energy to be transferred between the metronomes--similar to how two or more pendulums connected by springs would behave. This is generally how it works. The specifics of how to solve for these types of coupled oscillator problems can get pretty complicated. I would check out Bryan Daniels' link in the description above for further study.
@tospace2006 Simple function of inertia—energy transferred to the cans from the motion of all syncronize to the dominant motion of two or three metronomes—then the others fall into place. Once the cans are removed, the five devices show their ‘not quite exact’ design and functioning.
God moves in mysterious ways!
Nymphibious 5 days ago
Wow! I love this!
tambourini 1 month ago
F****ng metronomes. How do they work?
;)
RoadRunnerLaser 2 months ago
I like how they de-sync anyway in the end :P
EagleDarkX 3 months ago
WHAT MANNER OF WIZARDRY IS THIS?!
superpiratepants 3 months ago 5
@superpiratepants
more of witchcraft than wizardry.
simhopp 3 months ago
i can't stop smiling
ryansnider 3 months ago in playlist More videos from NatSciDemos
funny to listen
Luke123541 6 months ago
Awesome! yeah!
Blazenresearcher 6 months ago
is this related to S.H.M?
hotienaughtie 7 months ago
@hotienaughtie Yes and no. When isolated from each other, the metronome pendulums execute simple harmonic motion, since only the internal spring supplies the restoring force. But when they are coupled with the FoamCore board, each motion is complicated by the motion of the other metronomes, and so strictly speaking I don't think we can call it SHM at that point.
NatSciDemos 7 months ago
damn, that noise FREAKS ME OUT
iLoveYoutuveVideos 7 months ago
so will this work if you put 5 drummers on a board with wheels
ProducShuns 7 months ago 4
WOW!!!
sffilk 8 months ago
This is brilliant in its simplicity!
Ballotman 9 months ago
Why did this make me lol?
iambrandonpoo 9 months ago
Gravity is our ultimate enemy.
allenbroadway 9 months ago
This is probably a very crazy and stupid question, but here it goes anyway: could there be somehow a parallel between this metronome synchronization effect and quantum entanglement of particles? I.e., particles become entangled = metronomes become synchronized? I know, I know, I keep getting these crazy ideas... and I don't really have a deep knowledge of quantum physics; physics was just a minor in my university undergraduate degree.
alexandrempinto 9 months ago
@alexandrempinto No quantum entanglement going on here. Just classical physics. The metronomes are coupled to each other by the board they're sitting on and the motion of one influences the motion of others. I'm not saying that the mechanism of synchronization is simple, but quantum entanglement is not the explanation.
NatSciDemos 9 months ago 5
@NatSciDemos I wasn't saying nor asking if quantum entanglement was the explanation to this phenomenon. I was asking if this phenomenon could be used as a metaphor to better understand quantum entanglement. But thanks for your feedback, anyway.
alexandrempinto 9 months ago
It has a really simple explanation: after a couple of beers, agreement is achieved.
Not Physics, but alcoholism...
Thordalf 9 months ago 29
@Thordalf very cute answer
NatSciDemos 9 months ago
that was soooo cool!
conrad1991ful 9 months ago
I am sorry if someone has already asked, or if it s a dumb question. Why do the de-synchronize after they are set back on the table? Are they not set to the same bpm?
1k1r0 9 months ago
@1k1r0 It just demonstrates that the metronomes are not 100% accurate. Being mechanical devices, there's always going to be a slight inaccuracy in their timing and thus, even though they're set for the same frequency, they will get out of synch with each other. The neat thing is that they stay in synch when slightly coupled to each other.
NatSciDemos 9 months ago 7
@NatSciDemos Exactly. @1k1r0 , another way to look at it is that the only thing that ever kept them in synch in the first place is the "coupling" with the help of the cylinders. If you've ever worked with engineering and tolerances, think of placing the metronomes on that board with the cylinders as a way of tightening the tolerance to 178 +/- .001 bpm, and without the cylinders it's like 178 +/- .5 bpm.
Gameosaurus 9 months ago
@Gameosaurus thats an answer i can understand. Thankyou.
MrMalenfant 7 months ago
did the author of this notice the variation of movement from the left to right while the mets were in sync? I noticed an increased move every 4th beat. I'm very curious to hear if you recognized this and have an explanation.
saiyaman2042 9 months ago
@saiyaman2042 Interesting observation. We should try it with a different frequency divisible by another number and see what happens.
NatSciDemos 9 months ago
Interesting sidelight - The electronic metronome was invented by a U.S. Navy Bandsman who became frustrated that a pendulum metronome wouldn't keep a steady beat on a heaving ship at sea.
zachsplep 9 months ago
Drummers work exactly that way! But they need much more cans, and it won't syncronize them...
The1Kong 9 months ago
I wonder if one could develop the skill to achieve this effect by holding the board in one's hands.
azormage 9 months ago
Is this like in the movie I,Robot, where the dumped robots cluster together even though they're not supposed to have feelings?
Canyarion 9 months ago
Does it work with women's menstrual cycles as well?
mateusvelloso 10 months ago 4
@mateusvelloso In a paper entitled "Synchronization of metronomes," Am. J. Phys 70(10), 992-1000, James Pantaleone developed a mathematical model for the metronome system, and discusses how it provides a mechanical realization of the Kuramoto model for synchronization of biological oscillators.
NatSciDemos 9 months ago
This should be tried with five drummers.
burmanmusic 10 months ago 3
Now go break a bridge,
Acer81996 10 months ago
So which one did they synchronize to? The middle one?
holycrapyousuck 10 months ago
worthy!
spwb2k 10 months ago
How does it work? Motion of the ocean! Or - after a few cans of beer, everything clicks.
Matty - some people need those beers to notice humor.
jondoe8889 10 months ago 2
Incrível!!!
Muito interessante mesmo.
alestrompa 10 months ago
Off course getting back to their initial frequencies after being replaced to the "ground" has nothing to do with mechanical faults and other things discussed here..It is as simple as that, their initial setup was set to a certain oscillation frequency, so, no other interference occurs and the metronomes return to the initial frequency.
billaps 10 months ago
0:43 - The Tiny Army Parade
thystevenmeister 10 months ago
Simple function of inertia—energy transferred to the cans from the motion of all syncronize to the dominant motion of two or three metronomes—then the others fall into place. Once the cans are removed, the five devices show their ‘not quite exact’ design and functioning.
I am pretty sure . . .
LeeC999 10 months ago
@livingstonepherr Dude... *sigh*... he was being ironic!
igitur1978 10 months ago
that was really cool. :)
bctallgirl 10 months ago
@achjanadann They will be allowed to drift if not fixed to an immobile surface. If you picked one up and shook it, you wouldn't expect it to keep time!
potkettle 10 months ago
The two on the right are really close to each other, even without the cans.
BirdValiant 10 months ago
no wonder drummers can't keep real time... LOL!
edapSnoJ 10 months ago 20
@edapSnoJ The hell? They keep the best time out of EVERYONE. Especially rudimentary drummers. You have no idea what you're talking about.
avenged7xguitar 9 months ago
It's the magic of Polar Cola
.
drhowarddrfinedrhowa 10 months ago
you have too much time on your hands
mfcallaha 10 months ago
@mfcallaha Scientific research is a waste of time, right?
poorkingz 10 months ago
My head just exploded.
ifutureman 10 months ago
beautiful
MLAOTNMCC 10 months ago
I understand why the metronomes fall into step when they're placed on the cans, but why do they do the opposite when you remove the cans, considering they're all set to the same tempo?
forebodingburger 10 months ago
@forebodingburger minor interference caused by lifting from the cans exaggerates over time - once syncronised, if you could move them perfectly from the cans, they should stay the same. Again small variances in the weights or accuracy in the metronomes would exaggerate over time causing them to unsync
dwtrstn1977 10 months ago
SO cool!
jedimom777 10 months ago
Would that Ligeti were still with us to see and hear this. He wrote a piece for 100 metronomes which is quite amusing, but he didn't do any intentional intercoupling of them, other that having them on the same stage.
This also reminds me of an electronischer/author named Uzunoglu, who has been advocating an approach to certain electronic techniques involving synchronized oscillators. I tried to verify some of his claims in simulation, with intriguing, if poorly-determined, results.
bcarsoon 10 months ago
That is really cool!
GrantSorensen 10 months ago
I tried it with 5 digital metronomes and it didn't work. WTF was I doing wrong?
MattyNice66 10 months ago 101
@MattyNice66 They are digital. That is why.
Kloran27 10 months ago
@Kloran27 Thanks for help him, Captain Obvious.
igitur1978 10 months ago
@MattyNice66 cuz there digital
.
nobody468 10 months ago
@MattyNice66
it only works with mechanical metronomes.
vladeckkk 10 months ago
@MattyNice66
FacePalm. It ONLY works with mechanical versions.
steveastrouk 10 months ago
@steveastrouk no shit sherlock
danielinsporto 10 months ago
@MattyNice66 how did u placed the metronomes over the table? how did u place the cans? should be one of those.
fernandrez 5 days ago
can you give a more in depth explanation of how this works?
Like how does the movement created by the soda cans allow them to influence each other??
tospace2006 10 months ago
@tospace2006 Good question. The soda cans allow the Foam Core to move with very little friction between it and the lab bench, allowing for mechanical energy to be transferred between the metronomes--similar to how two or more pendulums connected by springs would behave. This is generally how it works. The specifics of how to solve for these types of coupled oscillator problems can get pretty complicated. I would check out Bryan Daniels' link in the description above for further study.
NatSciDemos 10 months ago 4
@tospace2006 Simple function of inertia—energy transferred to the cans from the motion of all syncronize to the dominant motion of two or three metronomes—then the others fall into place. Once the cans are removed, the five devices show their ‘not quite exact’ design and functioning.
I am pretty sure . . .
LeeC999 10 months ago
hell yeah excellent
jo27hn666 1 year ago
What a perfect example of entrainment!
normagentile 1 year ago
just great !
snofsky 1 year ago