Kaylene Thomas

The editable pendulum lab can be used for acceleration due to gravity, or for simple harmonic motion. Students will build a simple pendulum, vary the length of the pendulum and determine period through measured time, and compare to calculated period. They will also calculate the acceleration due to gravity and compare to given 9.81 m/s/s. This gives students practice in measurement, calculation, and graphing skill in addition to recording qualitative and quantitative data.

This is an activity that typically takes less than 1 hour to complete. It was designed to teach dimensional analysis without the typical stress students tend to feel. It is good for accuracy and precision practice too. The foot tool is a cut piece of pool noodle. Use what you have.