Torsional oscillations, or repetitive rotational motions, are used extensively in the modern automobile industry and many industrial engineering applications. Understanding and controlling these oscillations, through the use of damping, is required for functional and durable machinery. We present the effects of two different types of torsional oscillator damping, magnetic and gravitational, on a Helmholtz coil-driven oscillator with sinusoidal input. Digital measurements were obtained using an oscilloscope. Our preliminary results confirm an exponential relationship exists between the applied damping force and the amplitude of oscillation for both types of damping. In addition, the responses of under-damped, critically-damped, and over-damped systems with a driven oscillator are explored.

Damped Driven Torsional Oscillator