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Activity

Machines and Tools (Part 2)

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Machines and Tools (Part 2) activity also includes:

Which pulley system will give us a whale of a good time? Teams compare the theoretical and actual mechanical advantages of different pulley systems. They then form a recommendation for how to move a whale from an aquarium back to the ocean.

1 Collection 46 Views 34 Downloads
CCSS: Designed NGSS: Designed
Concepts
pulleys, mechanical advantage, work, simple machines, force, aquariums, whales, design, engineering design, technology resources
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Instructional Ideas
  • Have the groups calculate the distance pulled and compare it to the distance the weight moves for each pulley arrangement
  • Lead a discussion about when the mechanical advantage is no longer an advantage due to the length of the input distance
Classroom Considerations
  • Class members may need to stand on a desk or ladder to attach the pulley system to the ceiling
  • The sixth in a 10-part series
Pros
  • The activity handout is in both a PDF and docx format
  • The resource has the groups determine possible errors in their measurements or calculations and to determine the percent error — a great skill
Cons
  • None
NGSS
MS-ETS1-1