Activity Detail

If you are using a TI-73, TI-83, TI-84 or TI-89, there may be particular math or science applications you will need to download to use certain activities. If you are using TI-Nspire technology, please update your TI-Nspire handheld operating system or computer software to view the latest activities. The latest TI-Nspire operating system was released in June 2009.

Browse by Subject

Submit Activity

Saved Activities

Advanced Search

add to saved activities

print this activity

	Tic, Toc: Pendulum Motion

Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will use a motion detector to plot the position versus time graph for a swinging pendulum. They will determine the period of the motion and model the position data using a cosine function.

Before the Activity

Connect the motion detector to the DIG/SONIC port of the CBL 2™ or DIG/SONIC 1 port of the Vernier LabPro®

Connect the CBL 2 or LabPro to the calculator using the Unit-to-Unit cable

See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity

Print pages 247 - 252 from the attached PDF file for your class

Activity Downloads:

(file types)

During the Activity

Distribute the pages to your class.

Follow the Activity procedures:

Hang the pendulum bob from about 80 cm of string from a rigid support

Position the motion detector about 1 m away from the bob, pointing at the bob

Measure and record the distance from the bob to the motion detector; this distance must be at least 75 cm

Pull back the bob not more than 20 cm before releasing it

Measure the period of the pendulum and record it in the Data sheet

Swing the bob away from the motion detector and observe the distance versus time graph

Compare the data to the cosine model

Determine the period of the pendulum

After the Activity

Students' will analyze data and complete the Data Collection and Analysis Sheet. They will also answer questions listed in it.

Review student results

As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging

Re-teach concepts as necessary

Other Downloads