This project involves introducing a nonlinear dynamical systems component to the undergraduate laboratory experience at the introductory and advanced levels. At the introductory level, a low frequency ac amplifier is used to magnetically, drive an oscillating steel beam (hacksaw blade) into a nonlinear regime where it displays bistability, hysteresis and jump behavior of the oscillator amplitude versus the driving frequency. At the advanced level, the amplifier will be supplemented with a digital storage oscilloscope and a computer to generate signals to be amplified and to analyze signals proportional to the oscillator, amplitude. In conjunction with equipment already on hand, this project is increasing the knowledge and skills of undergraduate science and nonscience students, particularly with regard to the growing field of nonlinear systems.
