Synchronisation 6 May 2008

If you watch only one video on metronome synchronisation this year, make it this one from Lancaster University's Physics Department:

Amazing, isn't it?

How does it work? Well, when sitting on the table, the metronomes' oscillations are all out-of-sync. This is because they were started separately (and at random intervals) and are "uncoupled" - i.e. there's nothing linking the metronomes, so no individual metronome has access to information about the state of any of the others. When placed on top of the cans however, the metronomes are suddenly coupled. Notice how the cans themselves oscillate a little - this movement provides coupling/information crossover which forces "synchronisation" in periodic systems like this one!