SIMPLE MACHINES

Objectives: Students will be able to demonstrate how simple machines operate; Measure forces applied to simple

machines; Practice creative problem-solving; Experiment with K’Nex to distinguish between simple machines in order

to create real-life examples that are used every day in society.

SIMPLE MACHINES PROJECT• Complete the Vocabulary Search• Complete Procedure Questions• Draft Simple Machine Diagrams (Fixed and

Moveable Pulley, Levers, Inclined Plane, Wedge, and Screw)

• Respond to a BCR/ECR prompts• Construct/Build functioning Moveable and Fixed

Pulleys, Elevators, Inclined Plane, and Lever, • Write in a Daily Lab Journal• Conduct a Presentation/Demonstration

Warm Up

1. What are simple machines?2. Name 6 types of simple machines?

What are simple machines?

• Simple machines are tools that make work easier. They have few or no moving parts. These machines use energy to work.

• There are six types of simple machines.

THE 6 TYPES OF SIMPLE MACHINES

Levers Inclined Planes

Wheels and AxlesWedgesScrewsPulleysGears

LEVERA hammer is a lever when it is used to

pull a nail out of a piece of wood. Bottle openers

Crow bars

Lever

• A lever is a simple machine. A lever is a board or bar that rests on a turning point. This turning point is called the fulcrum. An object that a lever moves is called the load. The closer the object is to the fulcrum, the easier it is to move.

INCLINED PLANERamp

Slanted Road Path up a Hill

Slide

Inclined Plane

• An inclined plane is a simple machine. It is a flat surface that is higher on one end. You can use this machine to move an object to a lower or higher place.

• Inclined planes make the work of moving things easier. You would need less energy and force to move objects with an inclined plane.

WHEEL AND AXLECars

Roller Skates Wagons

Door Knobs Gears in Watches, Clocks, and Bicycles

Wheel and Axle

• The wheel and axle is another simple machine. The axle is a rod that goes through the wheel. This lets the wheel turn.

• It is easy to move things from place to place with wheels and axles.

WEDGEKnives Axes Forks Nails

Wedge

• A wedge is a simple machine used to push two objects apart.

• A wedge is made up of two inclined planes. These planes meet and form a sharp edge. This edge can split things apart.

SCREWJar Lids

Light Bulbs Stools

Clamps Wrenches Key Rings

Screw

• A screw is a simple machine that is made from another simple machine. It is actually an inclined plane that winds around itself.

• A screw has ridges and is not smooth like a nail. Some screws are used to lower and raise things. They are also used to hold objects together.

PULLEYFlag Poles

Clothes Lines Sailboat Blinds Crane

Pulley

• This simple machine is made up of a wheel and a rope. The rope fits on the groove of the wheel. One part of the rope is attached to the load. When you pull on one side of the pulley, the wheel turns and the load will move.

• Pulleys let you move loads up, down, or sideways. It also makes the work of moving heavy loads a lot easier.

GEARSJacks

TrolleyCompressors

CarsElevatorsEscalators

TractorRamps

Wheel Spanners

Gears

• Gears are used to:- multiply or reduce speed and force;- change the direction of motion;- transmit a force over a distance.

• In a gear train we have a gear known as the driver and one known as the follower.Driver - is the gear that has the force or motion input.Follower - is the gear that results in the force or motion output.

Mechanical Advantage (MA)

Simple Machine Projects

Students (individuals) are expected to: 1. Build six types of simple machines2. Answer questions about each types

of machine3. Draft/diagram each type of machine4. Complete a laboratory report that

details your actions during each class period

Daily Laboratory Journal Entries • Students’ Daily Laboratory Journal Entries Must

Include:– Journaling must include a record of the entire

investigatory process, from concept to conclusion. – Each time the student makes an entry into the journal,

the date and time should be recorded. Nothing should ever be erased from a journal.

– This is the process by which students gain an understanding of the objective of the lab, what variables are involved, what response they are looking for, and how they intend to measure that response.

EXTENDED CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE #1

• Students must play the game @ www.msichicago.org/simplemachines and respond to the following prompt:

Explain how the six simple machines make life easier for

human capabilities.

Vocabulary Search

Using the internet and handouts, define the following terms:

• Effort• Effort Arm (EA)• Resistance• Resistance Arm (RA)• Mechanical Advantage (MA)• Force

• Friction• Slope• Hypotenuse• Fulcrum• Work• Load

Simple Machine Lab• Choose a simple machine to build (cards).• Build the machine and answer your questions

about that machine.• Replace all material pieces and turn in your

paper.

Questions (for each type of machine)

1. What type of simple machine did you build?2. How does that simple machine help you?3. What are 5 examples of that type of simple

machine?4. Describe how life would be without this

simple machine.

Drafting ProceduresDraft diagrams of the 6 simple

machines

Using drafting materials (T-square, triangle, drafting board, tape, etc.),

draw a diagram all six simple machines and label each part.

INCLINED PLANE QUESTIONS

1. What is an inclined plane?2. How does an inclined plane help you?3. List five examples of inclined planes that are

used in society.4. Describe how life would be without inclined

planes.