Periodic Motion - The Pendulum

We know pendulums were used in ancient Egypt and Rome, but it is thought they were also used pre-recorded history. Scholars build their own simple pendulums in the sixth activity of an 11-part series. Then, through an experiment varying...

Students construct their own pendulum. In this physics lesson, students design an experiment to find the factors affecting its period. They formulate a conclusion based on experimental data.

Students model damped motion.  In this modeling damped motion activity, students collect data on an oscillating spring with a mass hanger.  Students create a scatter plot of their data and find a sinusoidal function to fit the data. ...

Although this was written to accompany a specific textbook, the information can illustrate wave motion for any advanced level physics course. The slides are simple, use plain but colorful fonts, and include diagrams and pictures to...

Students experiment to determine the period of a pendulum. In this periodic motion lesson, students use different pendulums to determine their periods. They use various amplitudes to determine its effects on the period.

How would a pendulum work on the moon or Jupiter? To answer that question scholars control up to two pendulums including their location, length, mass, and amplitude. Added controls include changing the friction and strength of gravity....

Pendulums are simple, yet engaging demonstrations of harmonic motion. Dr. Carlson uses a very large example of a pendulum: a bowling ball on a string hanging from the ceiling! Learn from Dr. Carlson how you can teach about the strength...

Students explore the concept of periodic motion in relation to its function in a Grandfather type clock. In this periodic motion instructional activity, students use problem-solving skills and understanding of periodic motion to...

In this oscillations instructional activity, learners complete 50 multiple choice questions on forces, motion, periodic motion and simple harmonic motion.

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...