Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Riding on a Pendulum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
A comprehensive resource gets fourth grade physical scientists making observations about the period of a pendulum and then applying knowledge to a playground swing. Through seven different stations, they will record observations and...
Lesson Plan
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Pendulum Time

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Take your time with this lesson. Junior engineers read about different types of clocks and then work together to build a pendulum time-keeper. There are no hints as to how they might go about accomplishing this complex task, so you may...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Acceleration of Gravity with Pendulums

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore, analyze and study to see whether the length of a pendulum affects its period and whether the mass of a pendulum affects its period. They review and discuss a lengthy list of math definitions and experiment with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Pendulums

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe the movement of pendulums, they begin to understand the relationship between gravitational forces and the mass of objects, the changes in speed and direction of objects, and the distance between objects. They understand...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pendulum Motion

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students explore questions which cannot be handled with simple pendulums, and examine both the usefulness and the limitations of approximations in science. A Java applet created from a Stella model is included.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pendulums

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the period of a pendulum. In this pendulum lesson plan, students make a pendulum using a fishing weight, hook, string and paper clip and measure the pendulum's period. Middle schoolers measure the number of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock-A-Bye Pendulum

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders analyze the effects of force on an object in motion and its relationship to a change in speed. This lesson uses a pendulum to demonstrate the principle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measures of Circular Motion

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Physicists become Olympians in a competition using centripetal force. They ride a bicycle to comprehend relationships between linear and rotational motion. If you have an old-fashioned record player, it can be used to help pupils...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Foucault's Pendulum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate how the motion of the Foucault pendulum proves that the Earth is rotating. They research the Internet about pendulums and conduct an experiment online. They view a multimedia presentation about pendulums and read...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Human Pendulum

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore the pendulum. In this physics lesson, students investigate how length, amplitude and mass affect the period of a pendulum. The students will engage in an exploratory activity in order to best grasp the concepts of motion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Speed Up a Slow Grandfather- The Pendulum

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students explore the concept of periodic motion in relation to its function in a Grandfather type clock. In this periodic motion lesson, students use problem-solving skills and understanding of periodic motion to participate in a group...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pendulum Problems

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore how pendulums function.  In this pendulums instructional activity students complete a pendulum lab activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pendulum Patterns

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the variables involved in the motion of a pendulum. In groups, they research how each different variable is related to the energy the pendulum produces. They share their results with the class and compare them with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Science of Swinging

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students learn how a pendulum works in the concept of an amusement park ride. In this pendulum instructional activity, students are introduced to Newton's first law of motion and how it works in an amusement park ride. Continuous motion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strange Attractor

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students explore magnetism. In this magnet lesson, students assemble a magnet pendulum. Students observe the pendulum noting the location of the magnetic poles as they construct the pendulum so that the free-swinging magnet comes as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock-A-Bye Pendulum

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use the scientific process to explore the effects of force on an object in motion. They demonstrate that the greater the force applied to an object, the greater the change in speed or direction of the object. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strings and Springs

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore physics with springs and strings. In this force and motion lesson, 9th graders rotate through four stations exploring how various springs stretch and bounce, and how mass and length affect a pendulum's swing. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spin Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the concept of "spin" and discuss how politicians use spin to sway public opinion. A leading American politician is selected and talking points that exemplify the main idea of this lesson plan are shared with the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Science of Changing Seasons

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars explore basic principles of seasonal change, ponder the mechanisms that drive these changes, and perform experiments that show what causes the earth to heat differently during different seasons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pendulum Motion Experiments

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students experiment with simple pendulums to determine the validity of an equation for all angles. Students discover the usefulnes and limitations of approximations in science. Using spreadhseets and a java applet, students observe the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Qualitative Aspects of Rotational Dynamics

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Explanations for six different physics lab activities and five suggested assessments are contained in this resource by the National Science Teachers Association. Any combination can be used to open learners' eyes to rotational motion....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Swinging on a String

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore how pendulums work and why they are useful in everyday applications. In a hands-on activity, they experiment with string length, pendulum weight and angle of release.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Frequency vs. Size

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and interpret sound as a vibration and what period and frequency are. They also divide the various types of objects so that all objects are explored and the procedures are determined by the students. Finally, students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Satellite Orbits

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars explore satellite orbits and gravitational force.