| Lesson Plan |
| Grade: |
Date: 25/02/2026 |
| Subject: Physics |
| Lesson Topic: understand that simple harmonic motion occurs when acceleration is proportional to displacement from a fixed point and in the opposite direction |
Learning Objective/s:
- Describe the relationship between acceleration and displacement in simple harmonic motion.
- Derive the angular frequency for mass‑spring and pendulum systems from Hooke’s law and torque.
- Apply the equations of motion to calculate displacement, velocity, and acceleration at any time.
- Analyse the energy transformations in SHM and compute total mechanical energy.
- Solve typical SHM problems involving period, frequency, and maximum speed.
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Materials Needed:
- Projector and screen
- Whiteboard and markers
- Printed worksheet with SHM equations and quick‑check questions
- Spring‑mass apparatus (spring, cart, masses)
- Stopwatch or digital timer
- Graphing calculators
- Computer with SHM simulation software
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Introduction:
Begin with a quick demonstration of a swinging pendulum and ask students what keeps it moving back and forth. Connect this to prior knowledge of forces and Newton’s laws, then state that today they will uncover the precise condition that defines simple harmonic motion. Success will be measured by their ability to derive and apply the SHM equations.
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Lesson Structure:
- Do‑now (5'): Students answer a quick‑check question on the restoring force for a spring‑mass system.
- Mini‑lecture (10'): Define SHM, present a = –ω²x, and derive ω = √(k/m) from Hooke’s law.
- Demonstration (10'): Show a spring‑mass oscillation, measure the period with a stopwatch, and discuss the relationship to ω.
- Guided practice (15'): Solve problems on period and angular frequency for both mass‑spring and simple pendulum examples using calculators.
- Energy exploration (10'): Use a computer simulation to visualise kinetic and potential energy exchange; students complete a worksheet.
- Check for understanding (5'): Exit ticket – one sentence explaining why small angles are required for pendulum SHM.
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Conclusion:
Recap the key idea that SHM occurs when acceleration is proportional to, and opposite of, displacement, and review how ω links to system parameters. Collect the exit tickets and remind students to complete the worksheet problems for homework, focusing on deriving periods for new mass‑spring scenarios.
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