This directory contains a simplified physics model (implemented in Mathematica) of a chaotic magnetic pendulum. The model simulates the motion of a magnet that swings freely over an arrangement of magnets placed at the vertices of a hexagon. Animation of the model:

The model makes a number of simplifying assumptions:

• pendulum is assumed to move only in the x-y plane
• radially-inward component of pendulum tension is treated as a spring force (Hooke’s law)
• magnets treated as 'point-like magnetic dipole', i.e. two opposite poles brought together as close as possible

These assumptions significantly reduce the complexity of the original system, while still capturing characteristic motion of the pendulating magnet.

Michael E. Rowan — mrowan137 — [email protected].

MIT License.

Aaron Santos