Granular Follower

The phenomenon called “granular clock” was discovered by numerical simulations (2005) and proven by experiences (2006). So far, however, the design of system was only divided into two equal compartments.

In this thesis, some “granular clock” experiments to discuss the influences factors, such as the number of small particles, the diameter ratio of particles, and the amplitude of vibration have been established. The results show that there are critical confinements to make an obvious granular clock phenomenon.

The experiments started with the container divided into three equal compartments, and two new physical phenomena are discovered. One of them was named “granular follower”, and the other one represented the different time of particles leaving from two sides or central compartment of the container. We also proposed a model about “granular follower” for the system with three compartments. Moreover, the experiments with the container divided into four equal compartments were made to prove the aforementioned phenomena. Consequently, it is suggested that “granular clock” is a special case of “granular follower” only for the systems divided into two equal compartments.

In addition, two series of experiments were made to investigate the effects of influence factors, such as the relative ratio of particle diameters and the number of small particles, so as to discuss the influence of clustering time and the distribution probability of particles in different compartments in the system.