Lesson 02
Coupled Systems
When two repeating systems are connected, each can influence how the other evolves. This influence is called coupling.
Weak coupling produces only a small influence: each system mostly follows its own natural rhythm. Stronger coupling pulls the systems together — they may settle into a stable phase relationship, or even move together as one.
Learning objectives
- Understand what coupling means between two phase systems.
- Observe drift when systems are uncoupled and have different natural speeds.
- See how stronger coupling produces faster adjustment.
- Recognise a stable phase relationship and phase locking.
System A
0.0°
Medium coupling
System B
90.0°
Phase difference
90.0°
Shortest angular difference
Magnitude
Moderate phase difference
Relationship
Adjusting
Live explanation
The systems are adjusting toward a more stable phase relationship.
What to notice
- Coupling allows one system to influence another.
- Different natural speeds cause uncoupled systems to drift.
- Stronger coupling produces faster adjustment.
- Coupled systems do not have to occupy exactly the same phase.
- A stable phase difference can be as important as exact alignment.
- A disturbed coupled system may recover toward its previous relationship.
A note on this lesson
This lesson uses a simplified deterministic model of coupled phase systems. It demonstrates the general behaviour of coupling and phase locking.
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