Pendulum Master — Free Online Simple Harmonic Motion Game
Pendulum Master is a free physics game that teaches simple harmonic motion, period, energy conservation and resonance through 8 levels of precision pendulum puzzles. Release pendulums to knock targets — and understand SHM without memorising a single formula first.
The physics behind the game
Period formula
The period depends only on length and gravity — not on mass, not on release angle (for small angles). This is isochronism, discovered by Galileo. A longer pendulum swings slower; a shorter one swings faster.
Energy conservation
Total energy is conserved. At maximum angle, all energy is potential. At the bottom, all energy is kinetic. This is why releasing from higher up always means more speed at the bottom — and a wider swing.
Resonance
Pushing a pendulum at exactly its natural frequency causes amplitude to grow with each push. Push at the wrong frequency and the swings stay small or even cancel — destructive interference.