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.
Levers
Inclined Planes
Wheels and Axles
Wedges
Screws
Pulleys
Gears
A 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.
Ramp
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.
Cars
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.
Knives
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.
Jar 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.
Flag 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.
Jacks
Trolley
Compressors
Cars
Elevators
Escalators
Tractor
Ramps
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 machines
2. Answer questions about each types
of machine
3. Draft/diagram each type of machine
4. 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:
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Effort
Effort Arm (EA)
Resistance
Resistance Arm (RA)
Mechanical Advantage (MA)
Force
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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 Procedures
Draft 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.