Work, Energy and the Simple
Machines:
Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
Instructor’s Guide
Work, Energy and the Simple Machines:
INCLINED PLANE, WEDGE,
SCREW
INSTRUCTOR’S GUIDE
Written and Produced by
John Colgren
Published and Distributed by
United Learning
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means, without prior written permission from the copyright
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©MMI John Colgren
INCLINED PLANE, WEDGE, SCREW
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Instructional Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Links to Curriculum Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Student Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Assessment Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Teacher Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Introducing the Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Discussion Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Blackline Master Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Enrichment Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Internet Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Script of Program Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
CC
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blackline master handouts that accompany it for the purpose of teaching in conjunction with this video, Lever, Wheel and Axle, Pulley. This
right is restricted only for use with this video program. Any reproduction or duplication in whole or in part of this guide and the blackline
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INCLINED PLANE,
WEDGE,
SCREW
GRADE LEVELS: 5-8
INTRODUCTION
This live-action program is designed for use with the intermediate and middle
school grades (5-8).
These three simple machines are related to one another. The wedge is like two
inclined planes attached along their bases. The screw is like an inclined plane
turned around itself. The inclined plane is an important simple machine that
finds its way into how mountain roads are planned and how to move objects from
one elevation to another. The wedge is probably the most common simple
machine. Anything that cuts is a wedge. The screw is designed to hold things
tightly together.
INSTRUCTIONAL NOTES
Before presenting this lesson to your students, we suggest that you preview the
program and review this guide and the accompanying blackline master activities
in order to familiarize yourself with their content.
As you review the materials presented in this guide, you may find it necessary to
make some changes, additions, or deletions to meet the specific needs of your
class. We encourage you to do so, for only by tailoring this program to your class
will they obtain the maximum instructional benefits afforded by the materials.
It is also suggested that the program presentation take place before the entire
group under your supervision. The lesson activities grow out of the context of
the program; therefore, the presentation should be a common experience for all
students.
1
LINKS TO CURRICULUM STANDARDS
This Unit of Study addresses the following National Science Education
Standards for grades 5-8:
Science as Inquiry
Content Standard A:
* Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
* Understandings about scientific inquiry
Physical Science
Content Standard B:
* Motions and forces
The motion of an object can be described by its position,
direction of motion, and speed.
* Transfer of Energy
Energy is a property of many substances and is associated with
heat, light, electricity, mechanical motion, sound, nuclei, and
the nature of a chemical. Energy is transferred in many ways.
Science and Technology
Content Standard E:
* Understanding about Science and Technology
Many different people in different cultures have made and
continue to make contributions to science and technology
History and Nature of Science
Content Standard G:
* Science as a Human Endeavor
* Nature of Science
* History of Science
STUDENT OBJECTIVES
After viewing the program and participating in the follow-up activities, students/participants should be able to...
• Tell how the inclined plane, wedge, and screw are related.
• Identify uses of the three simple machines presented in this lesson.
ASSESSMENT TOOLS
This lesson provides you with three different assessment tools. Together they
make it possible to follow closely the progress of your students and to judge their
mastery of the subject matter.
2
The Pre-Test Blackline Master #1 can be used to get some idea of students’
understanding of the topic before the program is presented.
The Post-Test, presented as Blackline Master #6, can be used as a final test for
the lesson.
The Video Quiz and its accompanying answer sheet (Blackline Master #2) can
be used as a follow-up to the video.
TEACHER PREPARATION
View the program and review the accompanying activities. Duplicate any blackline masters you wish to distribute. If you plan to use the Video Quiz, which
immediately follows the video presentation, you may wish to have copies of the
quiz ready to distribute at the completion of the video program. Also, plan to
pause the tape between questions if students require more time.
INTRODUCING THE PROGRAM
The six simple machines can actually be grouped into two groups. The lever,
wheel and axle, and pulley have similarities the same as the three simple
machines discussed in this program. The inclined plane, wedge, and screw are
related.
VIEW THE PROGRAM
Viewing time for this program is 10 minutes. The video quiz that follows the
presentation will take about 5 minutes when you build in pauses for recording
answers.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
You may wish to conduct a discussion after viewing the program based on the
following:
1. Ask the students to describe the ways the inclined plane, wedge, and screw
are related.
2. Ask if any students have ever seen a house being moved. If a house or building is to be relocated it may be lifted from its current foundation with giant jack
screws. Then a flatbed truck drives under the house and the house is lowered
onto the truck. Then it is moved to a new location.
BLACKLINE MASTER DESCRIPTIONS
This program contains six blackline masters that can be used to reinforce ideas
and information presented in the program.
• Blackline Master #1: Pre-Test provides a way of finding out how much students know about the material covered in this lesson before you present it.
Student scores on the Pre-Test can be compared with their scores on the final
3
Post-Test (Blackline Master #6).
• Blackline Master #2: Video Quiz is to be used at the end of the program. At
the completion of the program, there is a short quiz. The narrator will read the
questions which are displayed on the screen. Students can use Blackline Master
#2: Video Quiz to record their answers. Answers to the questions are provided
in the Answer Key section of this teacher’s guide.
• Blackline Master #3: Inclined Planes is an experiment to see how inclined
planes are helpful.
• Blackline Master #4: All Wrapped Up is an experiment that demonstrates how
a screw is like a rolled up inclined plane.
• Blackline Master #5: Mechanical Advantage of an Inclined Plane provides
information about calculating the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane. At
the bottom of the page are two exercises. One is a word problem for students to
determine the mechanical advantage of a mountain road. The other exercise
describes how students can calculate the mechanical advantage of a staircase.
• Blackline Master #6: Quiz. This is the Post-Test for this program.
ENRICHMENTACTIVITIES
• Wedges are possibly the most common simple machines. Have students carefully count the wedges they find in the kitchen of their home.
ANSWER KEY
• BLACKLINE MASTER #1: Pre-Test
1. lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined planes, wedges, and screw
2. A wedge is like two inclined planes attached along their bases.
3. A wedge is any tool or device with a cutting edge.
4. A screw is like an inclined plane wound up around itself.
5. Roads winding around a hill or mountain are inclined planes. They make
the work of going up the hill or mountain easier.
6. The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane is determined by dividing
the length of the incline by the height of the incline.
7. Answers will vary. They might include scissors, saw blades, axes, knives,
tacks, razor blades, tips of shovels, etc.
8. Screws build an incline or ridge in the wood. A nail pushes the wood apart.
9. A machine is any tool or device that does one or more of the following;
makes work easier, makes work faster, or changes the direction of the effort.
10. 20 pounds
4
• Blackline Master #2: Video Quiz
1. lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw
2. Winding around the hill or mountain creates an inclined plane mechanical
advantage so cars and trucks don’t have to work as hard to get over the hill or
mountain.
3. wedge
4. A screw winds into the wood creating a stronger and longer lasting grip.
5. inclined plane
6. make work easier, make work faster, or change the direction of the effort
7. True
8. Answers will vary. They may include handicapped access ramps, loading
docks, roads going up hills or mountains, ramps to load trucks and vans, etc.
9. Answers will vary. They may include knives, axes, razor blades, saw
blades, tip of shovels, etc.
10. Answers will vary. They may include holding furniture, holding hanging
plants, holding cabinet doors, etc.
• Blackline Master #3: Inclined Planes
Observations: answers will vary because of weight of book used in the experiment. When the book is dragged up the incline the reading on the spring scale
will be less than when lifting the book straight up.
Conclusion: An incline makes work easier. The less the slant of the inclined
plane the less the effort needed to drag the book.
• Blackline Master #4: All Wrapped Up
Observations: The thumb and finger will move up the pencil.
Conclusion: If a screw were unwound it would be shaped like an inclined plane.
• Blackline Master #5: Mechanical Advantage of an Inclined Plane
1. 2.25
2. Answers will vary.
• Blackline Master #6: Post-Test
1. lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw
2. A wedge is like two inclined planes attached at their bases.
3. A wedge is any tool or device with a cutting edge.
4. A screw is like an inclined plane wrapped around itself.
5. Divide the length of the inclined plane by the height of the incline.
6. 30 pounds
5
INTERNET RESOURCE
The following website may be a valuable source of additional information to
reinforce the objectives of this lesson:
1.) Work, Energy and the Simple Machines at http://www.unitedlearning.com will be designed as an electronic learning module specifically correlated to this Unit of Study. It will support and enhance the content and ideas presented in this series of vide tapes. This will add a new dimension to instruction
and learning.
INCLINED PLANE, WEDGE, SCREW
Script of Narration
The six simple machines have played an important role in the advancement of
civilizations all over the world.
In our world of complicated machinery we often forget that so much is owed to
the six simple machines that have been used for thousands of years.
Today we will look more closely at three of those simple machines; the inclined
plane, wedge, and screw.
The inclined plane which is often called a ramp can be found in use in many
ways.
Here the incline makes it easier to reach the entrance of this building.
Roads are built at inclines to make it easier for cars to climb mountains and hills.
It may take longer to travel on an incline, but that's the price you pay for making
the work easier.
To work on the underside of his car this man is using two incline planes.
Stairs are really inclined planes with steps cut into them.
To get a heavy load into this van would require a great effort. However, with the
use of an incline the amount of effort is reduced.
These lawn mowers are too heavy to lift so the inclined plane on the back of the
trailer makes it possible to lift the heavy equipment into the trailer.
We can demonstrate how an inclined plane can make work easier. This red board
will be our incline.
6
When we measure the weight of the block of wood we see that it is 240 grams.
One student will hold the incline at an angle and the other student will drag the
block up the ramp. This time the spring scale reads less.
If we hold the ramp lower the reading on the scale is even less. The closer we
get to ground level when the incline is flat the less effort to pull the block along.
The steeper the angle of the inclined plane the greater the reading on the spring
scale, indicating greater effort is required to move the wood along.
So when building roads it must be planned that the inclines up hills don't get too
steep. Otherwise a big truck couldn't make it up.
Another simple machine is related to the incline plane in fact it is two inclined
planes put together like this. A wedge is anything with a cutting edge to it.
The wedge is probably the most common simple machine.
Knives, edges to tools, saw teeth, scissor blades, all are examples of wedges.
Wedges cut through things. This wood plane is used to smooth rough edges and
prepare wood for painting.
A chisel has a very sharp cutting edge so that it can chip the wood easily. A few
strong hits with the hammer and the chisel slices through the wood.
This wood lathe is used to make spindal legs or even baseball bats. It is designed
to clamp and hold a piece of wood and then spin it quickly. With a chisel a woodworker can form nice rounded surfaces and give a nice shape to a regular piece
of wood.
In the case of a jack hammer the wedge drives the two sections of concrete apart
causing them to split.
A drill press uses sharp drill bits to cut into the wood. It can be controlled by the
lever on the side.
A ban saw has many sharp teeth that will make easy work of cutting through
these pieces of wood.
A hand saw has teeth that will also cut into wood.
7
A crowbar is used to separate pieces of wood. The tip of the crowbar is wedge
shaped to allow it to dig into and separate the wood pieces. The crowbar also
provides leverage to make the job easier.
The tips of nails and screws are wedge shaped so they can cut easily into wood,
and other materials.
Speaking of a screw, that's another simple machine. It's an inclined plane turned
around itself.
Here we'll demonstrate this idea. This paper is shaped like an incline plane. If
we wind the paper around a central post like this pencil we can form a screw. See
how the paper edge winds around the pencil just like the threads on a metal or
wood screw.
This vice uses a screw to enable it to squeeze the jaws tight.
This carpenter's clamp can hold pieces of wood together while they're gluing.
The screw in this wrench allows the jaws to be moved closer together or farther
apart.
This drill bit has a sharp tip to allow it to cut into the wood. Then as the hand
drill is turned it digs further and further into the wood. The wood chips are
moved away from the drilling by the screw shape of the bit.
A nut and bolt are used to hold things together tightly. It may take a while to
tighten the nut and bolt but that's just like the trade off for an inclined plane. It
may take longer but it requires less effort to create a greater holding force.
We use machines to make work easier, or to speed up a job or to change the direction of an effort.
When a machine makes work easier we say the machine is providing a mechanical advantage.
An inclined plane has a mechanical advantage that is determined by dividing the
length of the incline by its height.
So the longer the incline the greater the mechanical advantage.
Let's calculate the mechanical advantage for the ramp used to lift a heavy container into the van. The board is four meters long and the height of the incline is
8
one meter so the mechanical advantage is four. That means if the container or
load weighs 60 newtons it will only take 15 newtons of effort to get it into the
truck.
To find the mechanical advantage of a wedge you divide the length of the wedge
by its thickness.
That's why people sharpen their knives. A long narrow wedge has a greater
mechanical advantage than a short fat wedge.
These two knives are about the same size but the steak knife will cut through
things with greater ease because it is not as thick as the butter knife.
A screw has a high mechanical advantage determined by how far away the
threads are from each other as well as other things.
It will take longer to get the screw into the wood or metal but the screw will hold
better and with greater strength, than a nail or tacks.
Today we've looked at three simple machines that are closely related.
They're commonly found around our homes, school and businesses.
The inclined plane makes it easier to go from one elevation to another.
It helps us move heavy objects and ensure that our cars and trucks aren't overworked trying to get up a hill.
The wedge is possibly the most common simple machine. It can be found anywhere.
A wedge is anything that cuts.
In a typical kitchen you'll find many wedges; can openers, and all kinds of
knives.
A lot of tools and garden equipment make use of wedges.
The screw is often used to hold things tightly together.
All three of these simple machines play an important role in our daily lives for
all of today's machines are based on the six simple machines the lever, the wheel
and axle, the pulley, the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw.
9
And now it's time for the Video Quiz for today's presentation. There are ten
questions for this quiz.
Question number one.
Name the six simple machines.
Question number two.
Why do roads wind around hills and mountains instead of traveling straight up?
Question number three.
Which simple machine is defined as any tool that cuts?
Question number four.
Why is a screw a better choice than a nail when it comes to holding furniture
together for a long time?
Question number five.
Which simple machine is the screw related to?
Question number six.
To be considered a machine a tool must do one or more of what three things?
Question number seven.
True or False. The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane is determined by
dividing the length of the incline by the height of the incline.
Question number eight.
Name some examples of inclined planes in use around our homes and communities.
Question number nine.
Name some wedges typically found around the home.
Question number ten.
Name some ways screws are used around the home.
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Name
1
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
PRE-TEST
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in the space provided.
1. Name some ways inclined planes are used.
2. How do inclined planes make work easier?
3. If you had to move a heavy box up an inclined plane into the back of a truck,
would it be better to have a short steep incline or a long gradual incline?
4. How is a wedge related to an inclined plane?
5. How does a wedge make work easier?
6. Wedges are one of the most common simple machines. Name at least four
wedges.
7. How is a screw related to an inclined plane?
8. Name some ways screws are used.
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
©2001 Colgren Communications
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
Name
2
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
VIDEO QUIZ
This is the video quiz for the video called “Discovering Simple Machines: Work and Energy.”
Questions will appear at the end of the video. Write your answers on this sheet of paper.
1. Which of these is an example of an inclined plane?
a. an axe
b. a can opener
c. a pencil sharpener
d. a ramp
2. Which of these is an example of a wedge?
a. an axe
b. a see saw
c. a ramp
d. a rake
3. Which of these uses a screw?
a. an axe
b. a see saw
c. a ramp
d. a vise
4. Which simple machine is like an inclined plane wound up?
a. screw
b. wedge
c. lever
d. wheel and axle
5. Which simple machine is like two inclined planes put together?
a. screw
b. wedge
c. lever
d. wheel and axle
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
©2001 Colgren Communications
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
Name
3
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
INCLINED PLANE AND WEDGE FACT SHEET
Inclined planes and wedges are very common and useful simple machines. The
inclined plane is a flat surface with one end higher than the other. A ramp is a
good example of an inclined plane in use.
It is easier to push a heavy crate up a ramp than it is to lift it straight up to the platform.
Picture A shows a car
going up a mountain.
Picture B shows the
same mountain with a
road at a gradual
incline. Which would be
easier on the car, A or
B?
A
B
Circle your choice.
Two inclined planes put together form a wedge.
A wedge is a very handy simple machine. It is used on anything that can cut.
Some examples are: razor blade, knife, ax.
DIRECTIONS: Make a list of as many things as you can that are wedges.
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
©2001 Colgren Communications
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
Name
4
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
INCLINED PLANES
DIRECTIONS: Try this experiment to see how inclined planes are helpful.
Purpose:
To show that inclined planes help people move things.
Materials: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
a piece of wood at least eight inches (twenty cm) long
a book
a spring scale
twine
stairs
Procedures:1. Tie the twine around the book so that the spring scale can be used to lift it.
2. Lift the book straight up as if you were lifting it to the first step on a
staircase.
3. Record the reading on the spring scale as you lift the book.
4. Now place the piece of wood so that one end is on the step and the other
is on the floor.
5. Slide the book up the board with the spring scale and record the reading from
the scale.
Observations: Fill in the box below.
Weight of book _______________
Reading on scale while lifting book _____________
Reading on scale while pulling up board ___________
Conclusion:
Does the inclined plane give people help when moving objects from one
height to another?
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
©2001 Colgren Communications
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
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5
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
INCLINED PLANES - EXPERIMENT CHALLENGE
DIRECTIONS: Develop a way to find out if the angle of an inclined plane makes a difference
when sliding an object to a higher level. Fill in the materials you will use and write out the
procedures for setting up your experiment. Then do the experiment and record your observations and conclusions.
Purpose:
To test if the angle of the slant for an inclined plane makes a difference in the
amount of effort and force applied.
Materials:
Procedures:
Observations:
Conclusions:
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
©2001 Colgren Communications
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
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6
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
STRENGTH TEST
DIRECTIONS: Perform this experiment to test the advantage of screws. Answer the questions in the observations and conclusion sections.
Purpose:
To test and compare the use of screws and the use of nails.
Materials: 1.
2.
3.
4.
one nail and one wood screw about the same length
hammer
screwdriver
a piece of wood (2” x 4” or larger)
Procedure: 1. Use the hammer to hammer the nail into the board. Leave some of the nail
above the surface of the wood.
2. Screw the screw into the wood with the screwdriver. Stop when about half
an inch is above the wood.
3. Use the claw of the hammer to pull the nail out of the wood.
4. Now use the claw to pull the screw out.
Observations:
1. Which was harder to get into the wood?
2. Which was harder to get out of the wood?
Conclusion:
When comparing nails and screws, which would probably hold two pieces of
wood together with greater strength?
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
©2001 Colgren Communications
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.
Name
7
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
POST-TEST
DIRECTIONS: Use the space provided to write answers to the following questions.
1. How do inclined planes make work easier?
2. Would a steep incline or a long gradual incline make the job of pushing a heavy object
easier?
3. How are inclined planes used?
4. How are wedges related to inclined planes?
5. How do wedges make work easier?
6. Name at least four examples of wedges.
7. How is a screw like an inclined plane?
8. Name some ways screws are used?
Discovering Simple Machines: Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
©2001 Colgren Communications
All rights to print materials cleared for classroom duplication and distribution.