Pendullum.doc 1

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Pendulum Practicum Single Lesson Plan

RATIONALE:

OUTCOMES(CONTENT):

DESCRIPTION:

Student Teacher: Stavros Mouslopoulos

Date: 19/04/2010

Class: Science Stage 5 - Newtown High School

Unit: Catch a Wave Lesson #: 10

Subject: Physics

Lesson Topic: Pendulum Practicum I

No. of Students: 24

Len th of Time: 30 min

The pendulum practicum is used in order to introduce students into the general ideas associated withthe scientific method. This practicum introduces the concepts of observation, scientific hypothesis,experimental data collection/recording, and finally hypothesis testing and conclusions.

Students randomly distributed into 7 groups. Given that there is not enough time to identify(experimentally) the independent variable(s) of the specific problem at hand, students will be askedto hypothesize and argue (based on common sense, previous knowledge of classes on free fall and

properties of gravitational force etc.) on the subject. The discussion will be guided by the teachertowards the variable length of the string which will be the independent variable probed by thisexperiment.

Students will be asked to explore the dependence of the period on the length of the string.The hypothesis to test will be: The period of the Pendulum is increasing with its length.

The rest of the activity deals with the experimental testing of the previous hypothesis: The period ofthe pendulumshould be measured for at least 5 different lengths of the string. For the determination of the period ateach length, students measure the time taken for 10 swings of the mass and subsequently average(i.e. divide by 10 ) in order to reduce the error.

Prescribed Focus Areas:4.2 uses examples to illustrate how models, theories and laws contribute to an understanding ofphenomena 5.2 describes the processes that are applied to test and validate models,theories and laws

Knowledge and Understanding:5.6.1b) qualitatively describe features of waves including frequency

Skills:4.13 clarifies the purpose of an investigation and, with guidance, produces a plan to investigate aproblem4.14 follows a sequence of instructions to undertake a first-hand investigation4.15 uses given criteria to gather first-hand data4.19 draws conclusions based on information available5.17 explains trends, patterns and relationships in data and/or information from a variety of sources5.19 uses critical thinking skills in evaluating information and drawing conclusions5.20 selects and uses appropriate strategies to solve problems


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15min

5min

period increases as the length increases.

Purpose of the experiment is stated: Test the hypothesis

Experiment Begins

Instructions about measuring of the period of the

pendulum are handed and orally instructed.

First set of measurements are taken with l=0.6m

The second with l=0.7m

The third with l=0.8m

The fourth with l=0.9m

The fifth with l=1.0m

Students are asked to present and plot their results.

Where is the location of the dependent/independent

variable on the graph ?

What can you say about the relationship between length

and period?

Summarises and concludes experiment. Suggests further

reading and experiments.

Students set up their

pendulums.

Students listen/read the

instructions.

Students take measurements

i.e. record the time for 10

swings of the pendulum

for each length.

Students construct a table / fill

the table on the worksheet.

Students make a graph of the

period versus length on the

worksheet provided.

Students suggest possible

relations between period and

length (no formula required).

Students disassemble

pendulums hand in

worksheets.


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FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

ASSESSMENT TASKS

Students are suggested to explore the related web sites:

Galileos Pendulum Experiments:http://galileo.rice.edu/lib/student_work/experiment95/galileo_pendulum.html

The Simple Pendulum Simulation:http://www.myphysicslab.com/pendulum1.html

Team worksheets are handed in for marking at the end of the practicum.

Documents

Pendullum.doc 1