Swing a Pendulum Like Galileo
Discover how timing works — one swing at a time!
Galileo noticed that a swinging chandelier in a church moved in a steady rhythm. He used this idea to study time and motion. You can try it, too!
What You Will Need:
String (30–50 cm long)
Washer, metal nut, or small weight
Tape or ruler
Stopwatch or timer
Notebook
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Tie the washer to the end of the string.
Hold the top end and let the washer hang freely like a swing.
Pull it back gently and let it go — count how many times it swings in 15 seconds.
Change the string length and try again.
Record your results in your notebook.
What to Look For:
What changes when the string is longer?
Does the weight affect the swing time?
How steady is the rhythm?
Galileo Fun Fact!
Galileo’s pendulum ideas helped inspire early clocks and proved that motion could be measured.
Safety Tip:
Swing the pendulum carefully in an open space. Avoid swinging it near faces or fragile items.
Track Your Experiment!
In your Motion Journal:
Length of String: ____________
Swings in 15 Seconds: ________________
What I Noticed: ______________________
Sketch: [Draw your setup]
