Education Technology


Simple Harmonic Motion

Activity Overview

Students collect data on the motion of a simple pendulum. They then graph the acceleration of the pendulum vs. its displacement to show that the displacement of the pendulum is directly proportional to the force acting on it. They use this information to confirm that the motion of the pendulum fulfills the requirements of simple harmonic motion.

Key Steps

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    Students will use a Vernier CBR2™ or Go!™Motion sensor to collect displacement data. When students reach page 1.3, they should insert a new data collection box and then connect their motion sensor to their handheld or computer. This should activate the motion sensor. The motion sensor should start clicking slowly, and the green light on the front should turn on. A distance display should appear in the data collection box.