Simple Machines – Pendulum

This wooden pendulum has a strong and sturdy construction ideal for classroom use. The blue bob is adjustable so that students can easily and quantitatively study the relationship between the length of the pendulum and the period of the bob. Thewooden guide helps students to keep the release angle uniform and small. The rigid body allows for movement in only two dimensions keeping students focused on the relationship of length and period without having to worry about other variables. The pendulum is one of the simple machines and are designed in such a way that once they are moved, they will continue to swing for a long period of time. Gravity is the force that keeps it moving. The amount of time it takes for a pendulum to swing from one side to the other and back again is called a “period”. Students can experiment with this by measuring the period of the pendulum during different circumstances.Does is take longer when you release the bob from a higher point to perform one period? Or would it be shorter? How long is one period? And what is the relationship between the length of the pendulum and the period? What changes when you remove the bob and release the pendulum from the same height as when the bob was attached? This model is an excellent tool for inquiry based experiments. Students create an hypothesis – what do they think will happen when you change the variables of the length of the pendulum, the height on which the pendulum is released and the absence or presence of the pendulum bob. Once they have thought about the possible outcome, they can check their hypothesis by performing the experiment. This makes the pendulum model a perfect resource for hands-on science experiments. This Pendulum Model includes an instruction manual to facilitate both student and teacher with the use of this model. The model is made of particle board and MDF components. The sturdy construction of the models makes it perfect for classroom use. The base of the pendulum model measures 16.5 cm (L) x 8.9 cm (W) x 39.5 cm (H), with a 30 cm long adjustable wooden pendulum.