Simple Machines Project

 

All mechanical machines work with parts that move.  Most often the machines can be broken down into different simpler machines.  There are six simple machines:  the inclined plane, the wedge, the screw, the lever, the pulley, and the wheel and axle. 

               For this project you are going to work in groups to research and present information about one particular simple machine.  Your information will be conveyed in the form of a poster presentation.  Your poster needs to include information on the following topics:

 

               1.  Work: What is it?  What does it mean to do work? What are the components of work?

 

               2. Power:  How does it relate to work?

 

               3. Machines:  What is meant by mechanical advantage?  Efficiency? How efficient is your machine?

 

4. Simple Machines:  Each group will be given a simple machine.  For your machine  you will need to                     

a) give two different examples of your machine (one obvious and one not so obvious)

                                             b) demonstrate and explain how your machine works

                                             c) How does your machine make Work easier? Increase mechanical advantage? How do you calculate mechanical advantage  for your machine?

                                             d) Give an example of how your machine is used in compound machine.  *bonus: draw a diagram or build a model of your own compound machine that would perform a simple task.

 

Try to be creative and use as many pictures and diagrams as possible rather than just writing the information on the poster.  The project will be equivalent to one test grade.

 

 

Web sites to check out for some information:

 

http://www.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight3/spotlight3.html

 

http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/InventorsToolbox.html

 

http://www.sirinet.net/~jgjohnso/simple.html

 

http://www.smartown.com/sp2000/machines2000/main.htm

 

http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirtrep/simple/index.htm              

 

http://www.uark.edu/depts/aeedhp/agscience/simpmach.htm

 

http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/section/machine_MechanicalAdvantageandEfficiencyofMachines.asp

 

http://www.ceeo.tufts.edu/robolabatceeo/k12/classroom/mechanical_advantage.

http://www.connect.ab.ca/~lburns/students_eightunit2notes.html