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Pendulum Energy Model
written by
Wolfgang Christian, Mario Belloni, and Anne Cox
content provider: Barbara Christian
This is a standards-based simulation for grade level 6-9, developed to help students visualize how total energy is conserved in a simple pendulum. It depicts a child swinging on a swing suspended from a stationary point. Students can drag the swing to different heights, then activate the motion. As the swing moves in periodic motion, energy bar graphs are simultaneously displayed that show changing levels of kinetic and potential energy. The simulation is accompanied by a lesson plan and printable student activity guide.
This item was created with Easy Java Simulations (EJS), a modeling tool that allows users without formal programming experience to generate computer models and simulations. To run the simulation, simply click the Java Archive file below. To modify or customize the model, See Related Materials for detailed instructions on installing and running the EJS Modeling and Authoring Tool. Please note that this resource requires at least version 1.5 of Java (JRE). Editor's Note: To keep the activity simple enough for middle school, air resistance is ignored in this simulation. Teachers should be prepared for students to ask why the swing isn't slowing down. See Annotations for content support on the topic of energy transformation for a pendulum.
2 supplemental documents are available
Pendulum Energy Model: Student Version
EJS Pendulum Energy Model: Student Version is a simulation for physical science (middle and high) school students. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double clicking the ejs_middle_school_PendulumEnergy.jar file will run the program if Java is installed. download 2714kb .jar Published: June 17, 2009 previous versions
Pendulum Energy Model: Lesson Plan
A pdf file with a teacher lesson plan for use with the Pendulum Energy Model. download 366kb .pdf Published: June 17, 2009
1 source code document is available
Pendulum Energy Source Code
The source code zip archive contains an XML representation of the Pendulum Energy Model. Unzip this archive in your Ejs workspace to compile and run this model using Ejs. download 1462kb .zip Published: June 17, 2009
Next Generation Science StandardsDisciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)
Forces and Motion (PS2.A)
Types of Interactions (PS2.B)
Definitions of Energy (PS3.A)
Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer (PS3.B)
Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)
Systems and System Models (K-12)
Energy and Matter (2-12)
Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems (1-12)
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)
Developing and Using Models (K-12)
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)4. The Physical Setting
4E. Energy Transformations
11. Common Themes
11B. Models
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics AlignmentsStandards for Mathematical Practice (K-12)
MP.2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Ratios and Proportional Relationships (6-7)
Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world
and mathematical problems. (7)
Functions (8)
Use functions to model relationships between quantities. (8)
NSES Content Standards
Con.U: Unifying Concepts & Processes
The Physics Classroom: Energy Transformation for a Pendulum
(Editor: Caroline Hall)
This animated tutorial is part of The Physics Classroom collection, and provides excellent background information on the motion of a pendulum, with questions that allow users to self-test their understanding. This resource is part of 2 Physics Front Topical Units.
Topic: Conservation of Energy
Unit Title: Teaching About Energy This simulation-based lesson was developed by a middle school science teacher to help students visualize how energy is conserved in a simple pendulum (a child swinging on a swing). Students can drag the swing to different heights, then activate the motion. As the swing moves in periodic motion, energy bar graphs are shown in real-time.....letting students see the changing levels of kinetic and potential energy. Highly recommended by editors. Includes full lesson plan and printable student guide. Easily adaptable for high school. Link to Unit:
Topic: Periodic and Simple Harmonic Motion
Unit Title: Simple Harmonic Motion This lesson integrates a computer model to help kids visualize how energy is conserved in a simple pendulum (a child swinging on a swing). Students can drag the swing to different heights, then activate the motion. As the swing moves in periodic motion, energy bar graphs are shown in real-time.....letting students see the changing levels of kinetic and potential energy. Highly recommended by editors. Includes full lesson plan and printable student guide. Easily adaptable for high school. Link to Unit:
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=9147">Christian, W, M. Belloni, and A. Cox. "Pendulum Energy Model." Version 1.0.</a>
AIP Format
W. Christian, M. Belloni, and A. Cox, Computer Program PENDULUM ENERGY MODEL, Version 1.0 (2009), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9147&DocID=1220).
AJP/PRST-PER
W. Christian, M. Belloni, and A. Cox, Computer Program PENDULUM ENERGY MODEL, Version 1.0 (2009), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9147&DocID=1220>.
APA Format
Christian, W., Belloni, M., & Cox, A. (2009). Pendulum Energy Model (Version 1.0) [Computer software]. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9147&DocID=1220
Chicago Format
Christian, W, M. Belloni, and A. Cox. "Pendulum Energy Model." Version 1.0. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9147&DocID=1220 (accessed 3 December 2024).
MLA Format
Christian, Wolfgang, Mario Belloni, and Anne Cox. Pendulum Energy Model. Vers. 1.0. Computer software. 2009. Java (JRE) 1.5. 3 Dec. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9147&DocID=1220>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{
Author = "Wolfgang Christian and Mario Belloni and Anne Cox",
Title = {Pendulum Energy Model},
Month = {June},
Year = {2009}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Wolfgang Christian %A Mario Belloni %A Anne Cox %T Pendulum Energy Model %D June 17, 2009 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9147&DocID=1220 %O 1.0 %O application/java
EndNote Export Format
%0 Computer Program %A Christian, Wolfgang %A Belloni, Mario %A Cox, Anne %D June 17, 2009 %T Pendulum Energy Model %7 1.0 %8 June 17, 2009 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9147&DocID=1220 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource and its subdocuments is stored in 35 shared folders. You must login to access shared folders. Pendulum Energy Model:
Is Based On
Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool
The Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool is needed to explore the computational model used in the Pendulum Energy Model. relation by Wolfgang Christian
Is a Teaching Guide For
Physics Classroom: Analysis of Situations in Which Mechanical Energy is Conserved
Is a Teaching Guide For
The Physics Classroom: The Work-Energy Relationship: Bar Chart Illustrations
Is a Teaching Guide For
Physics Classroom: Pendulum Motion
Simulates
Science NetLinks: Exploring Pendulums
This lesson for middle school learners takes the concepts of pendulum motion to a somewhat higher level. Learners construct a pendulum and design a controlled experiment. They will be confronting the concept of air resistance. relation by Caroline HallKnow of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
SupplementsContributeRelated Materials
Is Based On
Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool Is a Teaching Guide ForPhysics Classroom: Analysis of Situations in Which Mechanical Energy is… Is a Teaching Guide ForThe Physics Classroom: The Work-Energy Relationship: Bar Chart Illustrations Similar Materials |