How do I simulate a rolling barrel?

Open this page and use the live Driven Resonance tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a rolling barrel from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Driven Resonance

Driven Resonance for a rolling barrel

Simulate a rolling barrel live in your browser. This runs the real Driven Resonance solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Driven ResonanceLive

amplitude near the natural frequency

Controls

Presets

Natural frequency f₀ (Hz)

Damping ratio ζ

Drive frequency (Hz)

Push a swing at its natural frequency and the amplitude blows up — resonance. Less damping → a taller, sharper peak (higher Q). This is why bridges, buildings, and wine glasses each have a frequency you must avoid.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Response amplitude8.44e-2

Quality factor Q3.3

At resonance?yes ≈ peak

Governing equation

A (ω) = \frac{F _{0}}{( ω _{0}^{2} - ω ^{2} ) ^{2} + ( γ ω ) ^{2}}, ω = 2 π (1.00), ζ = 0.15, A = 8.44 e - 2

Reading this result: Driving at the natural frequency f₀, so you sit on the resonance peak; the damping ratio ζ caps the height at a quality factor Q of 3.3.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

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About this simulation

The full Driven Resonance tool models a rolling barrel with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Driven Resonance

Driven Resonance for a projectile from a cannon Driven Resonance for a bouncing ball Driven Resonance for a pendulum clock Driven Resonance for a car braking Driven Resonance for a roller-coaster loop Driven Resonance for a satellite orbit Driven Resonance for a mass on a spring Driven Resonance for a skydiver's free fall

Other ways to simulate a rolling barrel

Particle / N-Body for a rolling barrel Heat & Wave Fields for a rolling barrel GPU Compute (WebGPU) for a rolling barrel WebGPU Fluid for a rolling barrel GPU N-Body for a rolling barrel GPU PDE Solver for a rolling barrel

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a rolling barrel?: Open this page and use the live Driven Resonance tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a rolling barrel from your own measurements.