This simulation shows different views of a spring that is whirled in a circle with one end free. The free end extends outward due to its own inertia or, expressed in terms of a rotating reference frame, the action of centrifugal force. Given sufficient time for initial oscillations to dampen, the free end travels in uniform circular motion. How will the two ends of the spring move when the free end is released?
Newtonian mechanics predicts that the free end will to continue in uniform circular motion as before, until such time as a wave propagates from the inner end to the outer. Seen in person or especially in high-speed video, the phenomenon is striking, even if expected.
The Motion Of A Spring Released From Uniform Circular Motion
A detailed discussion of the Spring Release During Circular Motion simulation is available in The Motion Of A Spring Released From Uniform Circular Motion paper by T. Dooling, J. Register, M. Carnaghi, and A. Titus. download 819kb .pdf
Last Modified: May 17, 2023
Rotating Spring Analysis Video
Video showing Tracker Analysis of a rotating spring as it is released. download 620kb .mp4
Last Modified: November 10, 2023
Rotating Spring Release Video
Video of a spring released during circular motion. Created by Jeff Register. download 373kb .mp4
Last Modified: November 10, 2023
previous versions
Rotating Spring Simulation Source Code
The JavaScript EJS source code for this simulation. download 755kb .zip
Last Modified: March 29, 2024
previous versions
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/OSP/items/detail.cfm?ID=16466">Christian, Wolfgang, and Tom Dooling. "Spring Released During Circular Motion JS Model."</a>
W. Christian and T. Dooling, Computer Program SPRING RELEASED DURING CIRCULAR MOTION JS MODEL (2023), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=16466&DocID=5712).
W. Christian and T. Dooling, Computer Program SPRING RELEASED DURING CIRCULAR MOTION JS MODEL (2023), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=16466&DocID=5712>.
Christian, W., & Dooling, T. (2023). Spring Released During Circular Motion JS Model [Computer software]. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=16466&DocID=5712
Christian, Wolfgang, and Tom Dooling. "Spring Released During Circular Motion JS Model." https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=16466&DocID=5712 (accessed 12 December 2024).
Christian, Wolfgang, and Tom Dooling. Spring Released During Circular Motion JS Model. Computer software. 2023. 12 Dec. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=16466&DocID=5712>.
%A Wolfgang Christian %A Tom Dooling %T Spring Released During Circular Motion JS Model %D 2023 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=16466&DocID=5712 %O text/html
%0 Computer Program %A Christian, Wolfgang %A Dooling, Tom %D 2023 %T Spring Released During Circular Motion JS Model %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=16466&DocID=5712
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