Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 October 2008
An account is given of a simple experiment designed to illustrate quantitatively the phenomena of coupled oscillations. Two similar small magnets are suspended in the earth's magnetic field at a suitable distance apart so that there is appreciable magnetic interaction between the two oscillatory systems. Under the conditions employed, the equations of motion reduce to a simple form, and the experiment may be used as a method of measuring the intensity of the horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field.