1. Types of simple machines
Big Q: How do inclined planes work?
Big Q: How are levers classified?

2. Engage - Is it a machine?
Which objects in the photo are machines? If you guessed the cars and the motorbike, you’re correct—but not completely! Remember, a device doesn’t have to be complicated or motorized in order to be a machine. Look below the motorbike. The ramp is a machine. Look at the person rolling the bike up the ramp. His hands hold the handlebars. His knees bend to help him walk. These are examples of simple machines. The motorbike and the other vehicles contain many simple machines. There are dozens of machines in this photo, not just the ones with motors.

3. Engage - Is it a machine?
What kind of work is made easier by the ramp in the picture?
What are other examples of ramps that you have seen or used?
How does the ramp at the back of the truck help the person do work?

4. Explore - Inclined planes and levers
Students will explore how levers make work easier.
***Answer all questions on your Inquiry Warm-Up Worksheet

5. Explain - Unit Vocabulary
Simple Machine
Inclined Plane
Inclined planes allow you to exert force over a long distance:
1. Mechanical Advantage - length of ramp divided by height
basic device used for making work easier
flat, sloped surface
M.A. = Length
Height
M.A. = 4/2 = 2
H = 2 cm
L = 4 cm

6. Explain - Types of inclined Planes
Wedge - inclined plane with two sloping sides
Screw - inclined plane wrapped in a spiral
You move the wedge to split something in two
Mechanical Advantage = Length of wedge
Width of wedge
M.A. = 6 3
L = 6cm
W = 3cm
M.A. = 3
L of T = 10cm
L of S = 2cm
Mechanical Advantage = Length of thread
Length of screw
M.A. = 10/2 = 5

7. Elaborate - a paper screw
What machine did the triangle model before it was taped to the pencil?
How could you calculate the mechanical advantage of your model screw?

8. Explain - Levers
Levers - a rigid bar that is free to pivot or rotate about a fixed point
Parts of a lever:
fulcrum - fixed point
input force - your force
output force - what you lift
4cm
2cm
M.A. = 4 2
Mechanical Advantage = Distance from fulcrum to input force
Distance from fulcrum to output force
M.A. = 2

9. Elaborate - Types of lever
First Class Levers - fulcrum in the middle
Second Class Levers - load in the middle
Third Class Levers - effort in the middle

10. Elaborate - Modeling levers
Investigate how the position of the fulcrum effects the lever
***Answer questions on your lab worksheet

11. Explain - Unit Vocabulary
Pulley - grooved wheel with a rope
Types of Pulleys:
Fixed Pulley
Movable Pulley
Block and Tackle Pulley

12. Explain - Types of Pulleys
Wheel and Axle - two connected objects that rotate about a fixed axle
Mechanical Advantage = radius of wheel
radius of axle
R of W = 6cm
R of A = 3cm
M.A. = 6cm
3cm
M.A. = 2
Gear - teeth that hold a chain

13. Explain - Compound Machines
Compound Machines - two or more simple machines together

14. Elaborate - Machines in the Kitchen

15. Evaluate - SImple machines