Energy Transfer: Motion of a Pendulum
In this activity students investigate the motion of a pendulum and the energy transfers that take place as it swings. They first investigate how the physical characteristics of a pendulum affect the period of a pendulum. They are given several variables to test and then asked to design and carry out an experiment to test the effect of another variable of their own choosing. Once the data is collected, they analyze the cyclic transfer between kinetic and potential energy that occurs as a pendulum swings.
Details at a Glance
- 1-2 Days | 1-2 ~50 minute class periods
- 1 Activity
- Accommodates unlimited classes, each with 6 groups of 4 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- All materials are non-consumable
Scientific Concepts
• The motion of an object can be described by its position, direction of motion, and speed.
• Forces acting on an object can cancel or reinforce depending upon their relative directions.
• Unbalanced forces will cause changes in the speed or direction of an object’s motion.
• Energy is a property of many substances and is transferred in many ways.
• The total energy of the universe is constant and although energy is transferred in many ways, it can not be destroyed
• All energy can be considered to be kinetic, potential, or contained in a field, such as electromagnetic waves.
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Comprehensive Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis items
- Materials necessary for the investigation (beyond common classroom items)
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 6 LAB-AIDS® Pendulum Stands
- 6 LAB-AIDS® Pendulum Stand Bases
- 6 LAB-AIDS® Pendulum Arms
- 6 LAB-AIDS® Start Angle Protractors
- 6 LAB-AIDS Height Markers
- 6 Metal hooks
- 6 50-cm sticks
- 6 Sets of 8 dot magnets
- 6 Binder clips
- 28 Student Worksheets and Guides
- 1 Teacher’s Guide
- Not included and needed for instruction: Timers.
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