Year 7 – What Affects Pendulum Swing Time?

Introduce students to planning and carrying out a pendulum investigation with this complete lesson pack: PowerPoint, variables practice sheet, results table, and exit ticket.

This resource is designed for the fourth lesson of the WJEC/KS3 Year 7 topic “I’m a Scientist” but can be adapted for any KS3 science class. Students explore which factors affect the swing time of a pendulum, practise identifying variables, and collect data to draw conclusions.

Lesson Content Covers:

Planning and carrying out a fair test.

Identifying independent, dependent, and control variables.

Measuring and recording pendulum swing times accurately.

Suggesting conclusions based on evidence.

What’s Included:

PowerPoint presentation (.pptx) – lesson structure with starter, investigation instructions, safety reminders, plenary, and homework.

Pendulum Variables Practice Worksheet (.pdf) – students identify variables in a pendulum scenario.

Pendulum Results Table Worksheet (.pdf) – structured table to record swing times and calculate averages.

Exit Ticket Worksheet (.pdf) – three short reflection questions to consolidate learning.

How it can be used:

As a complete 60-minute practical lesson in KS3 science.

To practise scientific enquiry skills and reinforce fair testing.

As part of the WJEC/KS3 “I’m a Scientist” scheme of work.

Adaptable for cover lessons, homework tasks, or science clubs.

Keywords: Year 7 Science, KS3 Science, pendulum investigation, fair test, variables, independent variable, dependent variable, control variables, WJEC, planning investigations, science practical, PowerPoint, worksheets, PDF.

File Types: .pptx (PowerPoint), .pdf (worksheets).