An inverted meter movement with weighted pointer is used as an electro
magnetically driven damped oscillator. The meter coil serves as both t
he driving and sensing transducer and electronic output of displacemen
t, velocity and forcing function allow amplitude and phase relationshi
ps to be displayed using an oscilloscope. Resonance phenomena are easi
ly observed over a range of Qs adjustable by simple mechanical means.
Step and impulse responses, excited either mechanically or electronica
lly, can be digitized and recorded with appropriate computer interfaci
ng. The apparatus is low cost and is easily replicated for hands-on ex
periments in larger classes.