http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_pend/cub_pend_lesson01.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, Amusement parkamusement park ridefirst lawgravityinertialaw of motionmotionNewtonNewton’s first lawpendulumrideroller coasterswingBobEngineerEngineeringFrictionGravityInertiaNewton’s first law of motionPendulumSimple pendulumSpherical pendulum

Students learn what a pendulum is and how it works in the context of amusement park rides. While exploring the physics of pendulums, they are also introduced to Newton’s first law of motion — about continuous motion and inertia.

Pendulums are used in many engineered objects, such as clocks, metronomes, amusement park rides and earthquake seismometers. In addition, engineers know that understanding the physics of how pendulums behave is an important step towards understanding motion, gravity, inertia and centripetal force. Engineers apply their understanding of these motion concepts to determine the force needed to propel an object into outer space, the braking power required to stop a vehicle at high speeds, and the optimal curve of a highway ramp. Teams of engineers work on a wide range of projects and solve problems that are important to society.Describe how a simple pendulum moves.Relate pendulums to Newton’s first law of motion.Explain several uses for pendulums in modern, everyday engineering applications.20TeachEngineering.orgAshleigh BaileyMegan PodlogarMalinda S. ZarskeDenise W. Carlsonhttp://engineeringedu.com/store/fantastical.htmlhttp://www.dictionary.comhttp://www.exploratorium.edu/xref/exhibits/pendulum_table.htmlS10069B9ColoradoScience2.1 Students know that matter has characteristic properties, which are related to its composition and structure.012S1002447ColoradoScience2.3 Students understand that interactions can produce changes in a system, although the total quantities of matter and energy remain unchanged.012S100D7F5ColoradoScienceStandard 5:<br />Students know and understand interrelationships among science, technology, and human activity and how they can affect the world.012S1015D9BColoradoScienceStandard 6:<br />Students understand that science involves a particular way of knowing and understand common connections among scientific disciplines.012United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2008-09-263Teacher