An oscillating system changes between two or more states. Astable systems swap continuously, whereas bistables remain in one of two states until an external stimulus causes them to change. Oscillating electrical circuits are present in everything from computers to radios. Piston engines such as in a car or steam train can be described as astable systems. They often involve a change in energy type: a swinging pendulum's kinetic energy becomes potential energy in the gravitational field as it swings upwards, then becomes kinetic again as it swings downwards.

See Hammer Clock to find out more about astable systems and the similarities between two apparently different ones.

Grabber Hand

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