Students engage in an activity which demonstrates how potential energy (PE) can be converted to kinetic energy (KE) and back again. Given a pendulum height, students calculate and predict how fast the pendulum will swing by understanding...

Students study the concept of periodic motion and relate it to the movement of a pendulum. They discover that the period of a pendulum is dependent on the length of the pendulum and independent of the bob and the amplitude.

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

Students 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. Students measure the number of seconds for 10 cycles...

Learners discover every pendulum has a natural vibration cycle that depends on its length.  In this physical science lesson, students participate in an experiment that shows the natural vibration frequency of two pendulums is the...

Sixth graders set up a pendulum experiment deciding which variable to manipulate (length of string or weight on the string). They create a hypothesis, collect necessary equipment, and write out each step of their experiment. They then...

First-time physicists experiment with pendulums in this physics lesson. They vary the weight of the bob, record how long each takes to complete ten period swings, and then calculate the time for one period. They repeat the procedure,...

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.

Ninth graders conduct experiments to determine what affects the rate of a pendulum's swing. Working in small groups, they identify an independent variable to study and create an experiment to test their hypothesis. When tests are...

Middle schoolers conduct experiments to determine if length, mass, or starting angle has any effect on the rate of a pendulum's swing. They also conduct an experiment online to determine if gravitational force plays a role in the swing. ...

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...

Young scholars explore the pendulum. In this physics lesson, students investigate how length, amplitude and mass affect the period of a pendulum. The young scholars will engage in an exploratory activity in order to best grasp the...

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.

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...

Students examine the motion of pendulums and come to understand that the longer the string of the pendulum, the fewer the number of swings in a given time interval. They see that changing the weight on the pendulum does not have an...

Physical science starters play with a pendulum in order to experience periodicity. Detailed procedures and a worksheet are included for day one. For day two, learners will use a graphing calculator to help them plot orbit data from a...

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...

Students 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.

Students use math to help them discover the movement of a pendulum.

Fourth graders conduct a lab activity that measures the factors that change the swing rate of a pendulum. They create a hypothesis and test it during the experiment. They record their observations using the recording sheets and journal...

Students predict how changing the pendulum components affect its period. In this physics lesson plan, students calculate the period using different masses. They analyze lab result and complete assigned worksheet.

Students explore magnetism. In this magnet lesson plan, 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...

Students construct a pendulum using a washer and thin fishing line. For this earth science lesson, students simulate Earth's rotation using the pendulum bob and swivel chair. They explain how this activity proves that the Earth is indeed...

High schoolers 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...