facebook
1%
Processing, please wait...
It was processed successfully!
It was processed successfully!
Login Create Free Account
Create Free Account
language
Oops! It looks like your security settings are blocking this video 🙁

If you are on a school computer or network, ask your tech person to whitelist these URLs:
*.wistia.com, fast.wistia.com, fast.wistia.net, embedwistia-a.akamaihd.net

Sometimes a simple refresh solves this issue. If you need further help, contact us.

 

Patterns of Motion & Friction Activity for Kids

Pendulum Painting DIY

  • Duration: 30-60 min
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cost: $0 to $10

Build a paint pendulum and study its pattern of motion!

Visit The Full Lesson Download Instructions as PDF

Material List

  • 3Empty glue bottles
  • 1Hole puncher
  • 13 foot piece of string or yarn
  • 1Pair of scissors
  • 3Tubes of water-soluble paint (different colors)
  • 1Large sheet of paper
  • 1Tripod or easel with a hook on the bottom
  • Tip:This can be messy! Lay down old newspaper and wear old clothes.

Instructions

  • 1Cover your work area with old newspaper.
  • 2Cut off the base of the glue bottle using scissors (adult help required).
  • 3Use the hole puncher to make two holes near the bottom of the bottle.
  • 4Feed the string through the two holes in the glue bottle.
  • 5Tie the string so that the bottle hangs upside-down about 2 inches above the floor.
  • 6Place a sheet of paper under the tripod and pour paint into the glue bottle.
  • 7Hang the paint-filled bottle back on the tripod.
  • 8Carefully open the glue bottle tip and give it a gentle swing.
  • Tip:Most paints are thick and need to be mixed with an equal part of water to flow easily.

How It Works

When the bottle is pulled back and released, it swings. The paint in the bottle flows out continuously leaving a record of its path. By observing the pattern made by the paint, you can see how the swinging pendulum changes direction and how it slows down over time due to friction! You can make different patterns by swinging it harder or softer, swinging it in a different direction, or changing the length of the string!

video play

Check out the Full Lesson on Patterns of Motion & Friction

In this lesson, we learn that:

  • A pattern of motion is the repeated process of an object moving.
  • Patterns of motion can be used to make predictions.
  • When one surface rubs against another we get friction.
  • Friction slows things down.

Find More
Exciting Activities

More Activities

Browse All
Full Lessons

Watch Full Lessons
X
Success
We’ve sent you an email with instructions how to reset your password.
Ok
x
Choose Your Free Trial Period
3 Days

3 days to access to all of our teaching resources for free.

Continue to Lessons
30 Days

Get 30 days free by inviting other teachers to try it too.

Share with Teachers
Get 30 Days Free
By inviting 4 other teachers to try it too.
4 required

*only school emails accepted.

Skip, I will use a 3 day free trial

Thank You!

Enjoy your free 30 days trial

We use cookies to make your experience with this site better. By using this site you agree to our use of cookies. Click "Decline" to delete and block any non-essential cookies for this site on this specific property, device, and browser. Please read our privacy policy for more information on the cookies we use.Learn More

We use cookies to improve your experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Click "Decline" to block non-essential cookies. See our privacy policy for details.Learn More