A linear chain of spheres confined by a transverse harmonic potential experiences localized buckling under compression. We present simple experiments using gas bubbles in a liquid-filled tube to demonstrate this phenomenon. Our findings are supported semi-quantitatively by numerical simulations. In particular, we demonstrate the existence of a critical value of compression for the onset of buckling.

Topics
Biofuels, Air pumps, Image processing, Hooke's law, Computer simulation, Optical aberrations, Educational aids, Educational assessment, Plasmas, Flow control
© 2020 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2020
American Association of Physics Teachers
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