Article
Story Behind the Science

Story Behind the Science: Pendulum Motion [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Article
Story Behind the Science

Story Behind the Science: Pendulum Motion, Time, and Shape of Earth [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Activity
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Pendulum Lab

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Interactive
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Double Pendulum Poincare Map

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A double pendulum model where the angles and angular velocities can be manipulated and the effects observed.
Interactive
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Pendulum Energy Model

For Students 6th - 8th
A simulation exploring the energy produced by a simple pendulum, written for middle school. Includes a lesson plan with accompanying worksheets.
Interactive
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Double Pendulum Phase Space Model

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Adjust to conditions of a double pendulum model and observe the results in an accompanying graph.
Activity
SRI International

Performance Assessment Links in Science: Observing Objects

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
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...
Website
PBS

Pbs Kids: Zoom Science: Introduction to Pendulums

For Students 3rd - 5th
What is a pendulum? What makes it swing? Who was Leon Foucault? Discover the answers to these and related questions.
Activity
TOPS Learning Systems

Tops Learning Systems: Top Science: Paper Clip Pendulums [Pdf]

For Students 3rd - 8th
Investigate how the length of a pendulum's chain or string affects the frequency of its swings.
Activity
TOPS Learning Systems

Tops Learning Systems: Top Science: Clock Pendulum [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Create a clock that accurately keeps time using a pendulum.
Interactive
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Driven Pendulum With Phase Space

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
Interactive
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Two Springs and a Pendulum Model

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
Interactive
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Physical Pendulum Forces

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
Lesson Plan
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: Physical Science

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Rotation of Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How the Earth rotates around its axis.
Interactive
American Association of Physics Teachers

Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Swinging Atwood's Machine Model

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Variation on the standard Atwood's Machine model, where one hanging mass swings like a pendulum and the other remains stationary. Manipulate the conditions and observe the results.
Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: The Mechanics of Standing Balance

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a 5-question quiz to help prepare for the MCAT. It uses the analogy between a standing patient and an inverted pendulum and the mechanics of standing balance.
Interactive
Educaplus (Jesús Peñas Cano)

Educaplus: Ley Del Pendulo

For Students 9th - 10th
What determines the period of oscillation of a pendulum? Try this little demonstration to find out the answer.
Unit Plan
Georgetown University

Georgetown University: Edgar Allan Poe (1809 1849)

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This site is a professor's guide for students. This guide features information on how to distinguish between Poe and his narrators in his stories.