For Hobbyists & Makers · Magnetic Pendulum
Magnetic Pendulum for a playground swing
Built for hobbyists & makers exploring it for fun. Play with real physics and math, no license and no setup — just open and tinker. Simulate a playground swing live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.
Magnetic PendulumLive
chaotic attraction · fractal basins
Controls
A pendulum bob is pulled toward three magnets. Which one it lands on depends so sensitively on the start that the basins of attraction form a fractal. Drag a magnet to move it, or click empty space to drop the bob there.
Presets
Data Inspector
Magnets3
Damping0.5% / step
Magnet strength0.60
Basinsfractal
Governing equation
Reading this result: Which magnet the bob settles on depends with extreme sensitivity on where it starts: neighboring drop points can end at different magnets, carving fractal basins of attraction. At friction 0.995 it settles at a moderate pace. Magnet strength 0.6 balances against the central spring.
Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.
More with Magnetic Pendulum
Magnetic Pendulum for a projectile from a cannonMagnetic Pendulum for a bouncing ballMagnetic Pendulum for a pendulum clockMagnetic Pendulum for a car brakingMagnetic Pendulum for a roller-coaster loopMagnetic Pendulum for a satellite orbitMagnetic Pendulum for a mass on a springMagnetic Pendulum for a skydiver's free fall
Frequently asked questions
- Is this good for hobbyists & makers?
- Yes — this version of "Magnetic Pendulum for a playground swing" is framed for hobbyists & makers exploring it for fun. Play with real physics and math, no license and no setup — just open and tinker.
- Do I need to install anything?
- No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.