Energy criterion for potential well escapes in a bistable magnetic pendulum

This paper examines the dynamic behavior of a bistable experiment comprised a pendulum and two Magnets. Investigations focus on determining when the oscillations about one equilibrium will overcome,in adjacent potential barrier and escape to a neighboring attractor. Studies identify the parameters of the experimental system before investigating the generalization of an escape criterion. A specific outcome is the generalization of an energy-based criterion that can be Used to predict escapes for forced and/or parametrically excited systems. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.