Physics1b experiments: Simple Machines- Detailed lab experiments illustrating simple machines with accompanying worksheets
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The document describes procedures for a series of simple machines lab experiments involving pulleys, inclined planes, screws, wedges, wheel and axles, levers, and potential energy. Students will perform tasks using various materials like ropes, balls, screws, wedges, toys, and more. They will observe how each simple machine works, sketch diagrams, and answer questions about the forces involved and how changing variables affects lifting and moving objects.
Physics1b experiments: Simple Machines- Detailed lab experiments illustrating simple machines with accompanying worksheets
- 1. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Pulley Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, blinds Procedure Use the cords to release the blinds. Now pull up the blinds using the pulley. Sketch and explain the forces acting on the string/blinds. QUESTIONS: How can a pulley make lifting an object easier? What does it do?
- 2. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Inclined Plane QUESTIONS: How can an inclined plane make it easier to lift up an object? How can the momentum of each ball be described? (Use the words mass & velocity) Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, 2 small balls (different sizes), ramp (two boards) Procedure Roll the ball down the ramp. Roll the ball up the ramp. Use a different ball. Repeat. Sketch and explain the forces acting on the ball.
- 3. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Screw Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, screws, monkey wrench, screw drivers Procedure Find the screw on the monkey wrench. Sketch & label. Screw each of the screws into the wood. (Righty tighty, lefty loosey) QUESTIONS: Which screw was easiest? Hardest? Look at the screws. How are they different? How could this explain it?
- 4. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Wedge Task 1 Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, wedge, clay, nail, pin, cloth Procedure TASK 1: Stick the needle in the cloth. Pull it out. Use the other end. Answer the question for task 1 QUESTIONS: TASK 1 Does using the eye-end work? Which works better? Why?
- 5. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Wedge Task 2 Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, wedge, clay, nail, pin, cloth Procedure TASK 2: Press the wedge flat side into the clay. Press the wedge point side into the clay. Answer the questions for Task 2. Roll the ball of clay back up. Press palm into clay. Press fingers into clay. Press 1 finger into clay. Answer the questions for Task 2. Sketch and explain the forces acting on the wedge/clay. QUESTIONS: TASK 2 Which is easier- flat end or pointed end? Why? Which is easier- palm, all fingers, 1 finger? Why?
- 6. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Wheel & Axle Task 1 Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, toe car, can opener, pre-made straw/string/cup wheel & axle Procedure TASK 1: Rotate the wheels on the can opener. Observe. Answer questions on Task 1. Rotate the wheels on the toy car. Observe. Answer questions on Task 1 card. QUESTIONS: TASK 1 How does the can opener open a can? (There are 3 machines here.) Draw the wheel & axle(s) from the toy car.
- 7. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Wheel & Axle Task 2 Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, toe car, can opener, pre-made straw/string/cup wheel & axle Procedure TASK 2: Set up: Tape the cup to the table near the edge. Rotate the straw to ‘wind up’ the string. Try lifting the items with the wheel & axle. QUESTIONS: TASK 2 What items could you lift with the wheel & axle? Sketch & explain the forces pulling up an object.
- 8. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Potential Energy Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, slinky, rubber band Procedure Think about the different forms of potential Energy & answer the following questions. QUESTIONS: What kinds of potential energy are in the following items? Slinky, ball at the top of a hill, fire, sun, flute playing, battery, plutonium atom, rubber band E
- 9. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Lever Task 1 Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, nails, hammer, wood Procedure Hammer the nail into the block of wood. Use the back of the hammer as a lever to pull the nail out of the wood. (See teacher.) Answer question for Task 1 QUESTIONS: Task 1 Explain how you are able to take the nail out this way and not by your fingers.
- 10. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Lever Task 2 Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, (items below) Procedure Point out the fulcrum on these objects: Scissors Pliers staple pull-outer Spoon/fork Hammer Large clip Clamp 2. Answer the question for Task 2. QUESTIONS: Task 2 Sketch & label the fulcrums for the objects.
- 11. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB Lever Task 3 Materials: pencil, Simple Machines WS, Science Notebook, ruler, 2 textbooks, several objects (see below) Procedure Use the lever to lift the loads. Answer Q’s. Change the fulcrum points to lift greater weights. DO NOT BREAK THE RULER LOADS: Notepad Stamp pad Disk Book Small box large box book MORE… QUESTIONS: Task 3 How does changing the position of the fulcrum help lift things heavier or lighter.
- 12. SIMPLE MACHINES LAB LINK TO WS l