This simulation demonstrates the hysteresis effect in a V-shaped spring-mass system based on the work of Christopher Ong. For more details, you can refer to the original paper.
Why a Hysteresis Loop Graph?
Captures History-Dependent Behavior: A hysteresis loop effectively visualizes how the displacement depends not just on the instantaneous force but also on the history of the force's variation.
Reveals Energy Loss: The area enclosed by the loop represents energy dissipated (e.g., due to damping or internal friction).
Shows Nonlinearity: It highlights the asymmetry or nonlinearities in the spring system caused by the changing forces.
Key Elements of the Graph
X-axis: Displacement of the mass (position).
Y-axis: Force applied to the mass.
Curve Shape: A loop forms if the motion depends on the history of force changes. For linear springs, this may be subtle unless there's damping or friction involved.
Enhancements for the Graph
Dynamic Visualization: Use an animated graph where the loop is traced as the force changes cyclically over time.
Color Coding: Different segments of the loop (e.g., loading vs. unloading) can be color-coded for clarity.
Overlay Conditions: Include lines or markers showing key thresholds (e.g., points of maximum extension/compression).