Period of a Pendulum Investigation
Initial Publication Date: August 3, 2009
Summary
In this investigation students will look at what factors affect the period of a pendulum and attempt to write an equation for the period of a pendulum experiencing simple harmonic motion. The students will make use of the online Pendulum Lab Simulation created by PHet Colorado, available at http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/pendulum-lab. Students will keep track of their data in their lab notebook and will turn in a single sheet of paper with their conclusions and equation.
CollapseLearning Goals
Students will discover that the length of the pendulum and gravity affect the period of a pendulum, but mass does not.
Vocabulary Words: Period, Friction, Gravity, Simple Harmonic Motion
Vocabulary Words: Period, Friction, Gravity, Simple Harmonic Motion
Context for Use
Grade Level: 9-12
Description and Teaching Materials
Materials: Computers for each student, downloaded Pendulum Lab Simulation http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/pendulum-lab
Note: The simulation requires Java Runtime 1.3.1. Make sure you have the latest version of Java.
The lesson will be introduced with a quick demonstration of a pendulum for the class. Students will be asked to make some observations of what they see. Which will be followed by the question, "What do you think affects the period of this pendulum?" (Period may have to be explained to the students) The students will then be shown the Pendulum Lab Simulation, given an explanation of how it works, and then given their task for the day. Students will then be allowed to work and the teacher will move around the room prompting students and monitoring their activities. During the last 10 minutes of the class, the students will be brought back together to discuss what they've learned and to share the equation they came up with. Students will be able to discuss how they found their equations and defend them.
Note: The simulation requires Java Runtime 1.3.1. Make sure you have the latest version of Java.
The lesson will be introduced with a quick demonstration of a pendulum for the class. Students will be asked to make some observations of what they see. Which will be followed by the question, "What do you think affects the period of this pendulum?" (Period may have to be explained to the students) The students will then be shown the Pendulum Lab Simulation, given an explanation of how it works, and then given their task for the day. Students will then be allowed to work and the teacher will move around the room prompting students and monitoring their activities. During the last 10 minutes of the class, the students will be brought back together to discuss what they've learned and to share the equation they came up with. Students will be able to discuss how they found their equations and defend them.
Teaching Notes and Tips
If students are having trouble with the equation, remind them that sometimes a graph is extremely useful in writing an equation.
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Assessment
Students will record their observations and equation in their lab notebooks and turn them in at the end of the activity. I will be looking to see that they observed gravity and length affect the period of a pendulum, but mass does not. For the equation I am looking to see them determine an equation that involves a gravity, length, a square root, and a constant.
Standards
9-12.I.A.3
9-12.II.D.2
9-12.II.E.2
9-12.II.D.2
9-12.II.E.2