Pendulum Motion Simulation
The Pendulum Motion Simulation provides the learner with an interactive, variable-rich environment for exploring the back-and-forth motion of a pendulum. Learners can analyze the periodic fluctuations in the individual force values, the force components, the net force, the acceleration, velocity, and position, and the kinetic and potential energies.
While the simulation works awesome for a study of pendulum motion, it is actually constructed as a circular motion simulation. The following scenarios are also possible to analyze:
- A ball attached to a light string and moving in a vertical circle.
- A ball moving along the wall of a vertical (and circular) loop.
- A ball rolling down an incline as it enters a vertical (and circular) loop.
The simulation offers multiple displays and representations to enhance your learning.
Users are encouraged to open the Interactive and explore. For a more guided experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following activity sheets:
Our Pendulum Motion simulation is now available with a Concept Checker. Do the simulation. Then follow it up with the
Concept Checker.
Learners and Instructors may also be interested in viewing the accompanying
Notes page. Technical information, teaching suggestions, and related resources that complement this Interactive are provided on the Notes page. View
Notes.
We owe a special thanks to Physics teacher Martin Kirby for donating the Pendulum Motion Simulation to our Interactives collection. If you like this sim, you can tap on the
Donate button and buy him a cup of coffee (or a pot of coffee); he'd appreciate it. Martin has contributed many other simulations to our Interactives collection. You can view them all by visiting our page listing all
Martin Kirby Simulations. Or visit Martin's website (
https://sites.google.com/a/kirbyx.com/) to learn more.