Ingram School of Engineering
Bahram Asiabanpour, Ph.D., CMfgE
Jaime Hernandez, Ph.D.
Vasilis Vagias, Matthew Loerwald, Thomas Wilson
STELLAR II: Science and Technology for English Language Learners
Stellar summer institute, San Marcos, TX

•
TEKS (7 th grade)
•
TAKS (8 th grade)
•
Six simple machines
–
Definition
–
Real world example
–
In class/lab practice/experiment
–
Hands-on practice
•
Conclusion

th

Distance
Mass
Velocity
Acceleration
Force
Work

An increment that represents a finite change in position. How far apart two objects are.

The mass of an object is a fundamental property of the object; a numerical measure of its inertia; a fundamental measure of the amount of matter in the object.
Mass can be measured in many different ways and can appear abstract. SI units are recommended to establish comfort.

Velocity is concerned with the change in position with respect to a change in time.

The rate of change of the velocity of a moving body
If you study a system and observe different velocities then an acceleration (negative or positive) has taken place.

Force is the product of
Mass and Acceleration
F = M x A
Measured in Newtons, a well known force seen daily is lbs (pounds) and is the product of an individuals mass multiplied by 32 ft/s^2(acceleration due to gravity)

Work is the product of a force applied over a distance.
W = F x d

Understanding energy, forces, and motion
Six simple machines
Inclined plane
Pulley Wedge
Wheel and axel
Levers
Screw

Screw
Inclined
Plane
Lever
Simple
Machines
Wedge
Pulley
Wheel
& Axle
From these machines all work can be made easier in terms of force exerted at the cost of the distance moved.
There are really only three simple machines the other three are just variations. Can you guess which three are they?

•
Definition: It is a flat surface whose endpoints are at different heights.
•
By moving an object up an inclined plane rather than completely vertical, the amount of force required is reduced, at the expense of increasing the distance the object must travel.

•
Real world example: Ramps, Roads, Steps, etc.

•
In class experiment
1- Set up a plane as shown in below picture with 30 degrees angle and connect a load.
2- Attached the spring scale to the other end and pull the load with it and read the scale number.
3- Change the angle to 60 degrees and compare the new scale reading with the previous one.
30 degrees 60 degrees
Recorded force

•
Definition: A long rod or stick can be placed on a point above ground known as a fulcrum to lift an object that requires a large force with a much smaller input force. There are first, second and third class Levers
Fr x Lr = Fe x Le

•
Real World Example: Handles, Can Openers,
Seesaws, etc.

•
In class experiment
Materials: Ruler, pencil, and two masses
Directions: Set up materials as shown on a flat surface.
1.
Use pencil as the fulcrum use spring scale where the “effort” is applied and measure force.
2.
Move pencil and repeat measurement record new force.
3.
Validate Fr x Lr = Fe x Le
Recorded force
Position 1
L1=L2
Position 2
6L1=4L2

Definition: A simple machine consisting essentially of a wheel with a grooved rim in which a pulled rope or chain can run to change the direction of the pull and thereby lift a load

•
Real World Examples: Flag Poles,
Dumbwaiters, etc.

•
In Class Experiment
Materials: Two pulleys, rope or string, mass hangers, and spring scale.
Directions:
1. Set up pulleys as shown in picture with one suspended above ground.
2. Loop rope through second pulley and attach mass hanger to the hook on the second pulley (lower pulley).
3. Use the spring scale to measure the force picking the load up by itself and again using the pulley apparatus.
Recorded force
Without pulley
With pulley

Definition: a wheel and axel is a simple machine consisting of a large wheel rigidly secured to a smaller wheel or shaft, called an axle. When either the wheel or axle turns, the other part also turns. One full revolution of either part causes one full revolution of the other part.
S1 X D1 = S2 X D2 where,
S1 = Input Speed S2 = Output Speed
D1 = Axle Diameter D2 = Wheel Diameter

•
Real World Examples: Cars, Ferris wheels , wheelbarrows, etc.

•
In class experiment
Materials: Mass hanger, rope, the small car, and spring scale.
Directions:
1.
Attach spring scale to rope and pull mass without the small car.
2.
Place mass on small car and pull with spring scale.
3.
Record results for all.
Without
Recorded force
With

•
A wedge is simply an inclined plane turned on its side. It follows the same rules as Inclined planes and can be thought of as such.
Wedges are used as either separating or holding devices.

•
Real World Examples: Axes, door stops, chisels, etc.

31
B
A

•
A screw is simply a spiraled inclined plane. A screw can be used to move objects side to side or up and down with ease.

•
Assume that you place a ruler parallel to a screw and count
10 threads in a distance of one inch. The pitch of the screw would be 1/10.
•
Since there are 10 threads per inch of screw, the distance between two adjacent screw threads is 1/10 of an inch.
Also, remember that one complete revolution of a screw will move the screw into an object a distance equal to the pitch of the screw. Therefore, one complete revolution will move a screw with 1/10 pitch a distance of 1/10 of an inch into an object.

•
Real World Examples, Screws and motors
• In actual applications, the screw is often turned by another simple machine such as a lever or a wheel and axle. In this case, the total mechanical advantage is equal to the circumference of the simple machine to which the effort force is applied divided by the pitch of the screw.

•
Use a screw with 12 threads per inch is turned by a screwdriver having a handle with a diameter of 1 inch. The mechanical advantage would be calculated as follows:
1- Determine the pitch of the screw: Pitch = 1/12 = .083
2- Determine the circumference of the handle of the screwdriver...
Circumference = 3.14 x diameter = 3.14 x 1 = 3.14 inches
3- Insert the values obtained into the formula and solve the equation:
Mechanical Advantage = Circumference/Pitch = 3.14 inches/0.083 = 37.83

Applications in Real World
•
The union of simple machines into complex machines sparked the industrial era and led to the technological boom we now live in.
They are simple but highly effective machines!

•
When confronted with a cumbersome task incorporate a simple machine to take the
“load” off

• Screw and the wheel (4 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/user/123peaceplease#p/u/10/v1hjiOp6FEU
• Lever (3 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/user/123peaceplease#p/u/11/Us2KfO_yrPA
• Simple machines (6 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/user/123peaceplease#p/u/13/grWIC9VsFY4
• Inclined plane (5 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/user/123peaceplease#p/u/12/wWPiY6Of6-U
• Pulley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T7tGosXM58&feature=related

• http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
•
Students project: Six simple machines (all in one) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1oCpWZk8pk