Pendulum Art | Art in Motion

Join Ms. Carly online for an exciting program incorporating principles of physics and chemistry to create art.

 

You’ll need:

  • Foam/Plastic/Paper Cup

  • Scissors

  • String

  • Tape

  • Paper or Canvas

  • Plastic Tablecloth (or other drop cloth)

Pendulum Stand Materials

  • 3 paper towel tubes and boxes

    OR

  • Chairs and a Broom

    OR

  • LEGOS

    OR

  • ladder and a piece of wood

It’s up to you what you construct for your pendulum to swing from!

 

Tutorial

Step 1: Prep the workspace by covering the floor with a drop cloth.  Prep the pendulum by poking a hole in the bottom of the cup and one hole on each side of the cup underneath the rim. Tie a piece of string through the two holes on the side of the cup creating a handle for the cup.

Step 2: Depending on your construction materials, this part may vary. *Place the broom horizontal across between the two chairs and slide the string tied cup to the middle of the broom.

Step 3: Before adding paint to the cup, test your pendulum with water. This is an easy way to make sure your work space is covered before adding paint. It also allows your artist time to experiment with swinging the cup.

Step 4: Place a piece of tape covering the bottom hole of the cup and fill the cup with a mixture of washable paint and water. The thickness of your paint may be different, but you can use a 2:1 ratio, 2 parts paint to 1 part water. In my tempera paint trial, this was a little bit runny, so I only used a splash of water. Place your paper or canvas underneath the pendulum.

Step 5: Remove the tape and swing the cup. Observe what patterns the pendulum creates on the paper.

Step 6: Let the paint dry completely before you try moving it to not disturb the pattern!

 

Afraid of the Mess?  Try it Outside!

This project can get a bit messy (but with a drop cloth it was very easy to clean up).

If the ideas of painting inside scares you…try taking the pendulum painting outside. I did 2 experiments, getting progressively taller with my setup, the results are pretty cool! You could also try a DIY washable sidewalk paint to test the pendulum on a sidewalk or driveway.

 

DIY Washable Sidewalk Paint Recipe

  • 1/3 c. of cornstarch

  • 1/3 c. of water

  • 1 Tablespoon of Washable Paint

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl. Be sure to test the paint in a small spot first to make sure it will wash off - some different brands of paint wash off easier than others.

 

Questions for this project:

  • What pattern is the pendulum making with the paint?

  • What happens if you swing the pendulum gently or swing it more forcefully?

  • What happens if you lengthen or shorten the string?

  • What does the painting look like or remind you of?

Visual & Performing Arts, Technology & STEMCarly RogersArt in Motion, School Age