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Principal Sponsors

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
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Makes grants to address the most serious social and environmental problems facing society, where risk capital, responsibly invested, may make a difference over time.
The NSF LogoNational Science Foundation

An independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science.

Excellence Center of Science and Mathematics Education at King Saud University LogoExcellence Center of Science and Mathematics Education at King Saud University

King Saud University seeks to become a leader in educational and technological innovation, scientific discovery and creativity through fostering an atmosphere of intellectual inspiration and partnership for the prosperity of society.

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Pendulum Lab

Play with one or two pendulums and discover how the period of a simple pendulum depends on the length of the string, the mass of the pendulum bob, and the amplitude of the swing. It's easy to measure the period using the photogate timer. You can vary friction and the strength of gravity. Use the pendulum to find the value of g on planet X. Notice the anharmonic behavior at large amplitude.

 
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Version 2.00
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Topics Teaching Ideas Software Requirements Translated Versions Credits

Topics

Main Topics

  • Pendulum
  • Periodic Motion

Related Topics

Sample Learning Goals

  • Design experiments to describe how variables affect the motion of a pendulum
  • Use a photogate timer to determine quantitatively how the period of a pendulum depends on the variables you described
  • Determine the gravitational acceleration of Planet X
  • Explain the Conservation of Mechanical Energy concept using kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy
  • Describe Energy Chart from position or selected speeds.

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Teaching Ideas

Tips for Teachers

The teacher's guide contains tips for teachers created by the PhET team (PDF).

Ideas and Activities for this Sim

Submit Your Ideas & Activities

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Check the PhET design guidelines (PDF)

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Software Requirements

Flash Icon

Windows Systems Macintosh Systems Linux Systems
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7
Macromedia Flash 8 or later
 OS 10.4.11 or later
Macromedia Flash 8 or later
 Macromedia Flash 8 or later

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Translated Versions

Run localized Download
Arabic Arabic Download
Chinese Taiwan Chinese, Taiwan Download
Croatian Croatian Download
Czech Czech Download
Dutch Dutch Download
French French Download
German German Download
Greek Greek Download
Japanese Japanese Download
Khmer Khmer Download
Persian Persian Download
Serbian Serbian Download
Slovak Slovak Download
Slovenian Slovenian Download
Spanish Spanish Download
Vietnamese Vietnamese Download

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Credits

Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Michael Dubson (developer/lead)
  • Trish Loeblein
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