Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Simple Harmonic Motion: Equation of Motion

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 minutes)

This part of the lesson plan is essential for laying down the groundwork for students to grasp and apply concepts related to simple harmonic motion. By clearly outlining the objectives, students can concentrate on the vital skills that will be developed and assessed throughout the session. This ensures that all students are aligned and equipped for the practical exercises and discussions that will ensue.

Objective Utama:

1. Formulate an equation for simple harmonic motion, outlining the steps required to derive the motion equation.

2. Identify and evaluate if a body is undergoing simple harmonic motion, using both mathematical and physical criteria.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Enhance analytical skills in physics by applying mathematical concepts to tackle physical challenges.
2. Encourage scientific communication skills through discussions of findings and methodologies with classmates.

Introduction

Duration: (20 minutes)

The introduction aims to engage students with the content through problem-based situations that encourage them to reflect on their previous learnings and emphasize the relevance of simple harmonic motion in everyday life. This initial phase is key to activating students’ prior knowledge and contextualizing the significance of the concepts that will be explored, making learning more impactful and applicable.

Problem-Based Situation

1. A simple pendulum is released from a small height. How can you predict the pendulum's movement over time using the concept of simple harmonic motion?

2. A spring is hanging vertically with a weight attached to it. When pulled down and released, the weight starts to oscillate. What factors are necessary to describe this motion, and how do they affect the oscillation?

Contextualization

Simple harmonic motion is a common phenomenon both in nature and in various technological applications, from pendulum clocks to suspension systems in vehicles. Understanding this type of motion not only deepens the students' grasp of physics but also boosts their ability to innovate and address real-world problems. Additionally, studying this subject helps students comprehend how physical principles apply to real scenarios, such as in bridge design and musical acoustics, where vibrations play a crucial role.

Development

Duration: (75 - 85 minutes)

The development segment of the lesson plan is designed to give students a practical and engaging experience to apply the theoretical concepts studied regarding simple harmonic motion. Through playful and contextualized activities, this section aims to solidify learning through experimentation and analysis, enabling students to visualize and physically engage with the principles of simple harmonic motion. These activities also promote teamwork and develop analytical skills, which are vital for a deeper understanding of physics.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Spectacular Oscillation

> Duration: (65 minutes)

- Objective: Apply knowledge of simple harmonic motion to infer physical properties through hands-on experimentation.

- Description: In this activity, students will be tasked with creating and analysing a simple pendulum to understand the formula for simple harmonic motion. The class will be split into groups of up to five, where each group will assemble their own pendulum using string and a weight. They will measure the oscillation period for different string lengths and weights, and record their findings for later analysis.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Hand out the necessary materials: strings, various weights, and stopwatches.

• Instruct students to construct the pendulum by securely fixing the string to a support and attaching the weight to the other end.

• Have each group measure the pendulum's oscillation period for 5 different string lengths and record the data.

• Students should use the pendulum period formula to calculate the gravitational constant and compare it to the theoretical value.

Activity 2 - Magic Spring

> Duration: (60 minutes)

- Objective: Explore how varying weights influence the characteristics of simple harmonic motion in a spring.

- Description: Students will investigate simple harmonic motion using a spring that is suspended vertically with a weight at its end. Each group will change the weight and measure the frequency and amplitude of the motion, ultimately producing a report on the relationship between weight, frequency, and amplitude.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5.

• Provide each group with a spring, a set of weights, and a timing device.

• Guide students to attach a weight to the spring and let it oscillate freely after being stretched.

• Instruct groups to record the frequency and amplitude of oscillation for each weight used.

• Students should plot their data and analyse how weight impacts the frequency and amplitude of the oscillations.

Activity 3 - The Dance of Pendulums

> Duration: (70 minutes)

- Objective: Understand how pendulum length affects oscillation periods and delve into concepts of phase and synchronization in simple harmonic motion.

- Description: In this fun activity, students will explore how different lengths of pendulums affect their oscillation period. They will create several pendulums and host a 'pendulum concert', observing the synchronicity and phase of the oscillations and relating these observations to simple harmonic motion concepts.

- Instructions:

• Split the room into groups of up to 5 students.

• Provide each group with strings of varied lengths and small weights.

• Have the groups assemble pendulums of different string lengths and suspend them side by side.

• Instruct students to start all the pendulums simultaneously and observe the variations in their oscillations.

• Students should record the periods of oscillation and discuss how string length influences the motion.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The aim of this stage in the lesson plan is to allow students to reflect on their hands-on and theoretical learnings, solidifying the knowledge they’ve gained through group discussion. This feedback session is invaluable for enabling students to articulate what they’ve learned, recognise any gaps in their understanding, and apply their knowledge analytically. Additionally, by sharing their experiences and results, students develop their communication skills and learn to appreciate diverse approaches and solutions to the same physical problem.

Group Discussion

Begin the group discussion with a brief recap of the experiments conducted. Ask students how they incorporated the simple harmonic motion theory in practice and what observations stood out to them as interesting or surprising. Encourage them to share their unique insights or any challenges faced during the practical activities. Inquire how the straightforward motion equations aided in predicting and understanding the behaviours observed during the experiments.

Key Questions

1. How does the theory of simple harmonic motion relate to the behaviour of the pendulums and springs you tested?

2. What factors did you find that significantly affect the oscillation of the systems you built?

3. How did you apply the equations to calculate practical outcomes, such as the gravitational constant or the frequency of the oscillations?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan is intended to consolidate learning, reaffirming the key concepts and practical experiences that students engaged in. This synthesis helps reinforce the knowledge acquired and understand how to coherently apply theory and practice. By highlighting the importance of simple harmonic motion in applied contexts, we encourage students to view physics as a dynamic field that significantly impacts everyday life.

Summary

In this concluding segment, we will summarise the key concepts of simple harmonic motion covered during the lesson. We will revisit how the motion equation was derived and applied through practical examples like pendulums and springs, reinforcing both theoretical understanding and hands-on practice.

Theory Connection

The connection between theory and practice was established through the experimental activities, where students could visualize and quantify the behaviour of oscillatory systems. This not only fortified their understanding of mathematical equations but also underscored the importance of analytical and critical thinking in addressing real-world challenges.

Closing

Lastly, we underscore the relevance of simple harmonic motion in various practical and technological applications, such as in bridge construction, musical acoustics, and vehicle suspension systems, illustrating how physics principles are essential in our daily lives.