Success Stories: Maximum Tension of a Pendulum
"I designed a simple experiment to test the theoretical prediction that the maximum tension in a pendulum string swinging down from a 90-degree angle from the equilibrium position is equal to three times the weight of the pendulum bob."
Ed Wyrembeck
Ed Wyrembeck
If Ed Wyrembeck's physics students were to engage in the thrillseeking venture of bridge swinging, they could do it without being concerned about the cable breaking. That's because of an experiment the Howards Grove High School physics and calculus instructor conducted with 14 of his students last year. They determined that in order for someone to swing back and forth on a cable suspended from a bridge, the tension on the cable must be at least three times the weight of the person or persons hanging from the end of it.
"I designed a simple experiment to test the theoretical prediction that the maximum tension in a pendulum string swinging down from a 90-degree angle from the equilibrium position is equal to three times the weight of the pendulum bob," he explained, for those familiar with physics.
His efforts in proving his theory reaped handsome rewards. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the world's largest organization of science educators, headquartered in Arlington, Va., selected him as one of five recipients nationwide for its 2004 Teacher Awards Program. The program honors K-12 teachers, college professors, principals and others for their outstanding achievement and innovative programs in science education.
"I designed a simple experiment to test the theoretical prediction that the maximum tension in a pendulum string swinging down from a 90-degree angle from the equilibrium position is equal to three times the weight of the pendulum bob," he explained, for those familiar with physics.
His efforts in proving his theory reaped handsome rewards. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the world's largest organization of science educators, headquartered in Arlington, Va., selected him as one of five recipients nationwide for its 2004 Teacher Awards Program. The program honors K-12 teachers, college professors, principals and others for their outstanding achievement and innovative programs in science education.
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Challenge
To test the theoretical prediction that the maximum tension in a pendulum string swinging down from a 90-degree angle from the equilibrium position is equal to three times the weight of the pendulum bob.
Solution
Wyrembeck and his wife Theresa attended a special banquet and award ceremony in Atlanta, from April 1-4, during the NSTA National Convention. He was awarded $3,000: a $1,000 cash award, another $1,000 for travel expenses to and from Atlanta, and $1,000 worth of vouchers to purchase Vernier science equipment: probes, sensors and software for his classroom.
To test the theoretical prediction that the maximum tension in a pendulum string swinging down from a 90-degree angle from the equilibrium position is equal to three times the weight of the pendulum bob.
Solution
- Five mobile computers.
- The computers are equipped with probes, sensors, a motion detector and accelerometer.
Wyrembeck and his wife Theresa attended a special banquet and award ceremony in Atlanta, from April 1-4, during the NSTA National Convention. He was awarded $3,000: a $1,000 cash award, another $1,000 for travel expenses to and from Atlanta, and $1,000 worth of vouchers to purchase Vernier science equipment: probes, sensors and software for his classroom.
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Vernier Software & Technology
13979 SW Millikan Way
Beaverton, OR 97005-2886
13979 SW Millikan Way
Beaverton, OR 97005-2886