How do I simulate a zip line?

Open this page and use the live Magnetic Pendulum 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 zip line from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Magnetic Pendulum

Magnetic Pendulum for a zip line

Simulate a zip line live in your browser. This runs the real Magnetic Pendulum 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

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

Friction

Magnet strength

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Magnets3

Damping0.5% / step

Magnet strength0.60

Basinsfractal

Governing equation

\ddot{p} = - i = 1 \sum 3 \frac{0.60 ( p - m _{i} )}{∣ p - m _{i} ∣ ^{3}} - 0.005 \dot{p} - k (p - c)

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.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Magnetic Pendulum tool models a zip line 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 Magnetic Pendulum

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

Other ways to simulate a zip line

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

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a zip line?: Open this page and use the live Magnetic Pendulum 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 zip line from your own measurements.