Teacher Demonstration
Use the live model as a shared screen demonstration before students try their own predictions and observations.
Physics / Newtonian Mechanics
Simple Harmonic Motion Vertical Spring Mass Model
Explore Simple Harmonic Motion Vertical Spring Mass Model as an interactive EJS simulation for mechanics.
1. Watch or Launch
Launch the Interactive
Open the simulation, adjust the controls, and compare what changes on screen before answering the concept-check questions.
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2. Big Ideas
Key idea A pendulum Tracker activity shows periodic motion where a restoring component of weight brings the bob back toward equilibrium. Speed, height, and period evidence help connect motion to SHM ideas.
What Students Can Learn
- Identify equilibrium and turning points.
- Relate maximum speed to the lowest point.
- Use repeated cycles to estimate period.
- Connect height and speed changes to energy transfer.
Guiding Question
Where is the bob fastest, where does it turn around, and what evidence shows one complete period?
3. Try the Investigation
Mark the Turning Points
Identify the frames where the bob changes direction.
Locate Equilibrium
Find the lowest central position of the swing.
Estimate the Period
Use repeated positions or graph peaks to time one complete cycle.
Explain the Motion
Connect restoring effect, speed change, and energy exchange across the swing.
4. Teacher Notes
Lesson Use
Use this to separate velocity from acceleration at turning points. The bob can have zero velocity while a restoring acceleration acts.
Discussion Prompts
Ask: Where is the bob highest? Where is it fastest? What graph feature repeats every cycle?
Teaching Moves
Ask students to label highest point, lowest point, velocity direction, and restoring direction on the tracked path.
5. Concept Check
These questions are generated from the topic and the concept illustrated by the simulation. Use them after students have explored the model.
Concept Score
Correct first attempts build a streak and unlock higher point multipliers on this device.
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Answer each question once to build your streak.
1. Where is a pendulum usually fastest?
2. What happens to velocity at a turning point?
3. What timing evidence gives the period?
4. What causes the bob to return toward equilibrium?
5. What should students cite?
Expert Challenge
Unlocks after 3 correct concept-check answers on this page.
1. In a spring SHM model, what should an expert use to decide restoring-force direction?
2. At maximum displacement in a spring oscillator, what should the model show conceptually?
3. What fair comparison tests the effect of spring constant?
4. What is the expert correction for 'the mass is at equilibrium, so energy has disappeared'?
5. What makes a spring SHM explanation expert-level?
7. Learning Pulse
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