{"id":4162,"date":"2025-03-18T14:09:35","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T14:09:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/?p=4162"},"modified":"2026-07-23T16:44:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T16:44:42","slug":"understanding-harmonic-motion-pendulum-spring-experiments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/schools.jove.com\/understanding-harmonic-motion-pendulum-spring-experiments\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Simple Harmonic Motion with Pendulums and Springs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4162\" class=\"elementor elementor-4162\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef3dc91 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ef3dc91\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-081d7dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"081d7dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understanding Simple Harmonic Motion with Pendulums and Springs<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7090152 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7090152\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44ee0c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44ee0c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Introduction: Why Did the Clock Stop?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a quiet clockmaker&#8217;s workshop, something wasn\u2019t right. The old grandfather clock was losing time. Despite adjusting the weights and gears, the pendulum kept slowing down. What was causing this?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This puzzle introduces <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/12762\/simple-harmonic-motion\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple Harmonic Motion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (SHM) \u2014 a key concept in physics that governs the behavior of pendulums and springs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research published in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Journal of Science Education and Technology<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that students who engaged with visual aids and interactive simulations demonstrated a 32% improvement in their understanding of physics concepts compared to traditional methods<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10956-020-09888-1\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Smith et al., 2020)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visual tools like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/science-video\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE educational videos <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">effectively connect theory to real-world motion, making SHM easier to understand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we\u2019ll explore SHM through JoVE\u2019s educational videos, explain common misconceptions, and share hands-on experiments for your classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For educators seeking <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextgenscience.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NGSS<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-aligned content to support their physics curriculum, JoVE offers<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/standards\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standards-Based Resources<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that simplify lesson planning with interactive visuals and clear explanations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df603ce e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"df603ce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dead711 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dead711\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is Simple Harmonic Motion?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b91fc0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1b91fc0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe49ccd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe49ccd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple Harmonic Motion occurs when an object moves back and forth under a <\/span><b>restoring force<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that pulls it toward equilibrium.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7775cb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a7775cb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-662806e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"662806e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> Key Characteristics of SHM\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd34933 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bd34933\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d8b61e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9d8b61e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two important features define this motion:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Period (T):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The time it takes to complete one full cycle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Amplitude (A):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The maximum displacement from equilibrium.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/12762\/simple-harmonic-motion\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE video on simple harmonic motion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you\u2019ll see how pendulum length, mass, and angle affect its period \u2014 helping students visualize these concepts clearly.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef58dab e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ef58dab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b251fc7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b251fc7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Does the Pendulum Sometimes \u201cGo Wrong\u201d?\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa9ce94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fa9ce94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you ever set up a pendulum experiment only to find it slowing down faster than expected?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many students mistakenly believe that a pendulum\u2019s period depends on:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The mass of the bob<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 but it doesn\u2019t.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The release angle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 but for small angles (under 15\u00b0), this has minimal impact.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In JoVE\u2019s demonstration video, students can see how pendulum length \u2014 not mass \u2014 directly influences the period. This visual approach helps clear up common misconceptions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For teachers seeking strategies to improve lab engagement, JoVE\u2019s<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/solutions\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STEM Solutions for Educators<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer time-saving resources like lab prep guides and teacher support tools.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c271786 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c271786\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-febb9a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"febb9a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Springs in Simple Harmonic Motion\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-653800b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"653800b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Springs also follow SHM principles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a spring is stretched or compressed, it stores <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/12672\/elastic-potential-energy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">elastic potential energy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The restoring force pulls it back to its original position, creating oscillation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/15592\/hooke-s-law\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s video on Hooke\u2019s Law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, students can observe how factors like spring stiffness and displacement affect the spring\u2019s motion.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f22f062 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f22f062\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Real-Life Examples of Simple Harmonic Motion<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c023321 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c023321\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SHM appears in many real-world systems. Some examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Seismology:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Earthquake waves follow SHM principles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Musical Instruments:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Guitar strings vibrate in harmonic patterns.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Engineering:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Car suspension systems use spring oscillations to absorb shock.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/education\/physics\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> JoVE\u2019s real-world physics videos<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, students can explore these practical applications to deepen their understanding.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97f0197 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"97f0197\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Try This! Classroom Challenge<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d9d028 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8d9d028\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Pendulum Race: Finding the Perfect Period<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Materials:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> String, washers (for bobs), meter stick, stopwatch<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Build Your Pendulums:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Set up three pendulums with different string lengths but identical masses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Predict the Outcome:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ask students which pendulum will complete 10 swings first.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Test and Record:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Time each pendulum\u2019s swings and compare results.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Discuss the Science:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/12762\/simple-harmonic-motion\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JoVE\u2019s SHM video<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to explain why string length \u2014 not mass \u2014 determines the period.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This experiment encourages prediction, observation, and critical thinking \u2014 key skills for science learning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For additional activities, check out JoVE\u2019s<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/standards\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Classroom Planning Resources<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which include NGSS-aligned lesson plans and lab preparation videos.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22d072d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"22d072d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68622e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"68622e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion: Bringing SHM to Life with JoVE Videos<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a61d4f1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a61d4f1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe5a523 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe5a523\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple Harmonic Motion can be tricky to grasp, but with the right visuals and hands-on activities, it becomes easier to understand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By using<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> JoVE\u2019s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> engaging video demonstrations alongside classroom experiments, teachers can simplify complex concepts and improve student comprehension.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Next Steps:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore JoVE\u2019s SHM video resources to support your lessons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/v\/12767\/simple-pendulum\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pendulum Race<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> activity to engage students with hands-on learning.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Challenge students to identify SHM patterns in everyday life.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the right tools and teaching strategies, SHM can become an exciting and memorable concept for students.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/schools\/try-for-free\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make physics engaging \u2014 use JoVE\u2019s interactive videos and hands-on experiments to bring Simple Harmonic Motion to life in your classroom!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jove.com\/highschool\/request-trial\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book a free domo with us today!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding Simple Harmonic Motion with Pendulums and Springs Introduction: Why Did the Clock Stop? In a quiet clockmaker&#8217;s workshop, something [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4163,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4162","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ngss-standards"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Simple Harmonic Motion Experiments Guide | JoVE K12<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Teach simple harmonic motion with JoVE K12 pendulum and spring experiments that help students model cycles, amplitude, and period during class discussions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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