Simple Machines
Here are some fun simple machines game and activities
Games and activities:
How long should the inclined plane be? - This is the lab activity that we just completed. Try lengthening the inclined plane. At what length can the cart start to be be rolled up the hill?
Edheads Simple Machines - these are great activities to test your understanding of the simple machines we've been studying.
Balancing Pik and Harry - use the slider bars to try and balance tiny Pic and large Harry on a teeter totter. What do you have to do to get them balanced?
Homework: Please read the instructions and then complete the questions. Don't assume that you know what needs to be done without reading!!!
Complete the lever activity and the wedge activity, answer the questions outlined in orange and email me the answers (or print them out, or hand write them and give them to me at school on Tuesday). If you don't have your own email ask a parent if you can use theirs to send me the answers. Please read the instructions carefully and make sure that you know what you need to do before you start!
Try out this lever! - this is in the same series as the inclined plane lab we did in the computer room.
1. Put the fulcrum (the rock) as close to the load (the rectangular block) as possible. Follow the directions at the site about how to move the fulcrum. Then move the fulcrum away from the load in short steps, collecting about 8 data points.
2. After you collect your results, email me, ljacoby@parkschool.net, the answers to the following three questions:
a. What happens to the force Harry needs to move the block as the fulcrum gets farther away from the load?
b. As you move the fulcrum father away from the block of stone (load) when can Harry no longer move the block (in other words when does the force get too big for him to do the job)?
c. In class we made a first class lever; a lever where the fulcrum is between the force (effort) and the load.
Check out this site about levers - it may be password protected so I hope you can get in!
In a 2nd class lever the load lies between the fulcrum and the force (effort). An example is a wheelbarrow: the load lies between the wheel (fulcrum) and the handles (where the force/effort is applied). Find two more examples of second class levers and include these in your answer.
d. In a 3rd class lever the force/effort is applied between the fulcrum and the load. An example is a broom.
Email me ljacoby@parkschool.net with your answers!
Which Wedge is Better? - Try this activity with wedges.
1. Does it take more force to use a shorter wedge or a longer wedge (you lengthen and shorten the wedge by dragging the tip of the wedge
found in the box under the data table then click the add mass button)?
2. What is an example of a simple machine/tool that is a wedge (other than an actual wedge used for breaking up wood and such)?
Email me ljacoby@parkschool.net with your answers!
enchanted learning site
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