Pendulum Rides

Pirate Ship—Ocean Motion

maXair

Skyhawk

Pendulum Rides

Pendulum Rides

True pendulums fall/swing all due to gravity However, pendulum rides actually swing

slower than what would be expected (based on how fast they should swing according to gravity) Why? There are motors and other machinery that

control the speed of the ride. The ride does not let gravity do the work.

Pendulum Rides

Although most pendulum rides do not make a full circle, riders do experience circular motion.

Swinging back and forth on this curved path allows you to feel the sensations of both high and low G’s.

Pendulum Rides

Where would you experience… Highest G? Lowest G?

Where would your weight seem… Heavier? Lighter?

A daring rider wants to experience the greatest range of G loads. Indicate where the person should sit.

Pendulum Lab—Part 1

Pendulums swing back and forth in a regular pattern. One back and forth movement is called a vibration or oscillation. The time it takes to complete one vibration is called the period. This lab tests the effects of different lengths of string on the period of a pendulum swing. How do you think the length of the “arm”

effects the ride?

Pendulum Lab Part 1

Pendulum Lab—Part 1 Explanation

Why does the pendulum eventually stop? Friction in the rope and in the air.

The time of the swing depends on the length of the pendulum. The longer the string the _____ . The shorter the string the _____.

The time decreases by one-half if the string is one-forth the original length.

Pendulum Lab—Part 2

Pendulums swing back and forth in a regular pattern. One back-and-forth movement is called a vibration or oscillation. The time it takes to complete one vibration is called the period. This lab is going to test the effects of different masses on the period of a pendulum swing. How do you think the mass of the passengers

effects the ride?

Pendulum Lab Part 2

Pendulum Lab—Part 2 Explanation

The number of back-and-forth swings was the same regardless of the weight placed on the bottom of the pendulum!

Why? Gravity pulled on the pendulum’s weights

causing them to fall when released. Remember that gravity affects everything the

same, no matter the weight!

Pendulum Lab—Part 2 Explanation

Did you notice… That the speed constantly changed during the

swing, no matter the weight? The speed increased as the pendulum

approached the vertical position and slowed as it moved upward where it stopped.

Pendulums stop at the highest position of their swing before beginning the downward swing all because of gravity.

Remember the acceleration due to gravity we learned about with free fall rides?

Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy in Pendulums

Where does the pendulum have the greatest amount of potential energy?

Where does the pendulum have the greatest amount of kinetic energy?

Why does a pendulum continue back up to “C” or “D” even though gravity wants it to remain at “B”?

Physics of Swings Video Clip