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Story Behind the Science
Story Behind the Science: Pendulum Motion [Pdf]
The history of the pendulum and its importance both in timekeeping, and in how timekeeping was used to solve other problems, such as determining longitude on a map.
Story Behind the Science
Story Behind the Science: Pendulum Motion, Time, and Shape of Earth [Pdf]
Article outlining the scientific history behind the evolution of theories about measuring time based on the movement of a pendulum, and about how gravity would impact a pendulum's movement depending on one's proximity to the Earth's...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Swing Low: Investigate the Motion of a Pendulum
Kids love to ride the swings at the playground. The back-and-forth motion of a swing demonstrates the physics of a pendulum. In this experiment, you will investigate the factors that affect the speed and duration of a pendulum's swing.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Pendulum Lab
Manipulate the mass of a weight and the length of string in this interactive pendulum simulation. Change the speed, friction, and gravity to make the pendulum swing change as measurements are displayed on the screen. Younger students can...
Rice University
Rice University: Galileo's Pendulum Experiments
This site from The Galileo Project of the Rice University provides a great look into the pendulum experimens of Galileo. Contains first-hand writings and examples of experiments along with links to additional information.
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Double Pendulum Poincare Map
A double pendulum model where the angles and angular velocities can be manipulated and the effects observed.
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Pendulum Energy Model
A simulation exploring the energy produced by a simple pendulum, written for middle school. Includes a lesson plan with accompanying worksheets.
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Double Pendulum Phase Space Model
Adjust to conditions of a double pendulum model and observe the results in an accompanying graph.
Science Museum, London
Science Museum: Online Stuff: Huygens' Clocks
Find out about Christiaan Huygens who built the world's first pendulum clock in 1656. The pendulum clock became the most accurate clock in the world for nearly 300 years.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Science of Swinging
Students learn what a pendulum is and how it works in the context of amusement park rides. While exploring the physics of pendulums, they are also introduced to Newton's first law of motion - about continuous motion and inertia.
SRI International
Performance Assessment Links in Science: Observing Objects
This is a performance task for Grade Four students where they observe two different pendulums and compare the two types of motion. The activity is designed for a lab setting where students work at individual stations. A rubric and...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Coupled Resonant Pendulums
Understand about a pendulum's natural or resonant frequency in this activity where you create your own pendulums. Students make a pendulum out of PVC pipe, string, and hex nuts.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Coupled Resonant Pendulums 2
Understand the concept of resonance to allow you to cause two pendulums to swing in an identical cycle. Pendulum are constructed from simple materials like string, pencils, paper clips, and pennies.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Resonant Pendulum
An experiment in resonance that demonstrates how to make a pendulum swing widely by exerting only a small force.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Bill Nye Demonstration: Newton's Pendulum
Learn about Newton's Pendulum will Bill Nye as you watch this demonstration of some of the most fundamental laws of physics and mechanics. [0:52]
PBS
Pbs Kids: Zoom Science: Introduction to Pendulums
What is a pendulum? What makes it swing? Who was Leon Foucault? Discover the answers to these and related questions.
TOPS Learning Systems
Tops Learning Systems: Top Science: Paper Clip Pendulums [Pdf]
Investigate how the length of a pendulum's chain or string affects the frequency of its swings.
TOPS Learning Systems
Tops Learning Systems: Top Science: Clock Pendulum [Pdf]
Create a clock that accurately keeps time using a pendulum.
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Driven Pendulum With Phase Space
Illustrate the physics of a pendulum with this simulated exercise which examines the variation of a moving pendulum, its phase space, and its Poincare section.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Drawing Board
In this activity, students will create a pendulum that creates beautiful designs with its repetitive patterns. Study the movement of pendulums with these designs.
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Two Springs and a Pendulum Model
Swing virtual pendulums and compare the motion of one oscillating weight on a horizontal spring to a second weight on another spring. Then, compare how these motions differ from the motion of a simple pendulum.
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Physical Pendulum Forces
This simulation of a pendulum will demonstrate how friction and force have to change to keep the mass in the same position on the pivoted rod.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Strange Attractor
Explore the chaotic motion of a pendulum that is swinging above several magnets that are fixed in place and see what patterns you can find.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Physical Science
The Discovery Channel provides numerous lesson plans dealing with the physical sciences. Content is organized by grade level, but all lesson plans include suggestions for adaptations for older or younger audiences.