Pendulum Lab
| Unit Price | $99.50 |
| 10+ | $90.50 |
Investigate simple harmonic motion with a classic pendulum
Arbor Scientific’s Pendulum Lab brings together classic physics, modern measurement, and student reasoning—helping learners move from observation to understanding with confidence. It combines hands-on experimentation with modern sensors to deepen student understanding of simple harmonic motion and conservation of energy.
Students investigate how length, mass, and amplitude affect a pendulum’s period, then extend the lab using photogates and motion sensors to analyze speed throughout the swing. A built-in whiteboard lets students record parameters, track vertical displacement, and predict maximum velocity—connecting observation, data, and theory in a single, cohesive investigation.
Why Teachers Love the Pendulum Lab
- Enhances a classic lab with modern tools: Combines traditional pendulum experiments with photogates and motion sensors for deeper insight.
- Clear focus on variables: Students systematically test length, mass, and amplitude to discover what truly affects period.
- Built for modeling and prediction: The included whiteboard grid supports planning, recording, and energy-based predictions.
- Flexible and repeatable: Supports quick demos, guided inquiry, or full quantitative labs across multiple levels.
Please note: The Pendulum Lab requires the Physics Workshop Stand and Timer & Photogates. The Physics Workshop Stand has universal use for the following Physics Workshop Labs: Car and Ramp Lab, Lever Lab, Gravity Lab, and Horizontal Projectile Lab. Please see the Physics Workshop Group for a complete listing of all related products.
Resources
Resources
Product Details
What You Can Teach with the Pendulum Lab
Ideal for middle school, high school, AP Physics, and introductory college courses:
- Simple harmonic motion: Period, frequency, and restoring forces
- Conservation of energy: Converting gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy
- Effect of variables on motion: Length vs. mass vs. amplitude
- Velocity analysis: Measure maximum speed with a photogate and track speed throughout the swing with a motion sensor
- Experimental design & modeling: Predict outcomes, test hypotheses, and reconcile data with theory
Products Also Required (Sold Separately)
- Physics Workshop Stand — required mounting system
- Timer and Photogates — for precise speed and timing measurements
Good to know: The Physics Workshop Stand is a universal component used across multiple labs, including the Car & Ramp Lab, Horizontal Projectile Lab, Lever Lab, and Gravity Lab. See the Physics Workshop Group for a complete list of compatible products.
Products being sold are not toys. They are for Educational / Laboratory use only. They are not for use by children 12 and under.
Product Specifications
What's Included:
Pendulum Face
String, Approx. 1 Meter
Spherical Bob (aluminum)
Spherical Bob (steel)
Centimeter Grid Board
Small Attachment Hex Bolt
Wing Nut
Pinch Clamp
FAQ
Warning: California Residents
WARNING: Cancer & Reproductive Harm — www.P65Warnings.ca.gov