Teach Engineering
Levers that Lift
Introduce your class to to the remaining three simple machines-- the lever, pulley, and the wheel-and-axle with a plan that includes the three different types of levers in the discussion of levers. The lesson continues with the...
Exploratorium
Balancing Ball
Demonstrate lift to the class that is studying aerodynamics. In the stream of air produced by a blow dryer, little physicists place a wad of tissue paper and a spherical figure to compare. Or, if you have a vacuum cleaner and beach ball,...
University of Southern California
Design and Test an Air Lift Siphon
Build an air lift siphon using your mad physics skills! Learners first investigate the importance of circulating water in aquaponics systems. They then use density to their advantage as they engineer an air lift siphon
Teach Engineering
Just Plane Simple
It is plane to see that simple machines help reduce the force needed to perform a task. This resource introduces three of the simple machines--the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw, and the formulas in order to be able...
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Water Wheel
Middle school scientists construct a working water wheel from an aluminum pie pan. Because of the sharp edges on the cut aluminum, this activity is for mature learners only. You could have your class compete to see whose wheel can lift...
Teach Engineering
Machines and Tools (Part 2)
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.
Curated OER
Mechanical Advantage
In this forces activity, students use the mechanical advantage equation to solve for input distance or output distance. The activity has 17 problems to solve.
Government of South Australia
Don't Waste Your Energy
Don't lift another finger, this physical and environmental science unit has everything you need to begin teaching your class about energy. Starting with a look at the greenhouse effect, these lessons and activities take young scientists...
Curated OER
Lift and Pull
Students examine the mechanical advantage of pulleys. For this pulleys lesson students are given a challenge to help save a whale by setting up different pulleys systems to move it.
Curated OER
Equations with Three Parts
In this equations activity, students practice solving problems using the equation for mechanical advantage. Students complete 2 problems.
Curated OER
Move It! With Simple Machines
Students explore engineering by participating in a mechanical class activity. In this simple machines lesson, students identify many simple machines that allow them to perform tasks easily each day. Students collaborate in small groups...
Curated OER
Powerful Pulleys
Students explore the building of a pyramid and how pulleys were used to change the direction of applied force. They demonstrate the mechanical advantage of using a pulley and apply it to modern engineering.
Curated OER
Types of Weathering
In this weathering instructional activity, students compare the two types of weathering: mechanical and chemical. This instructional activity has 11 matching questions.
Curated OER
A Simple Block and Tackle Pulley Demonstration
Students investigate the scientific concept of mechanical advantage. They construct their own system with the use of a simple broomstick. Then the demonstration is done to show how the mechanical advantage is used to move a load.
CK-12 Foundation
Block and Tackle
Can you easily lift more than your own weight? With a pulley system, almost anyone can manage this challenge. Scholars adjust the mechanical advantage (number of pulleys), weight of object being lifted, and the length of rope pulled. The...
CK-12 Foundation
Ramp and Piano
Can you lift a piano into a truck? Simulation allows scholars to explore the relationship between force, ramp length, and weight. Pupils control the variables of truck bed height, ramp length, weight of piano, and the number of friends...
Curated OER
Lifting a Load
Students experiments with levers to determine if the amount of force needed to lift a load is always the same. In this physics lesson, students use Lab-Pro data collector as they experiment with the fulcrum placement to measure the work...
Curated OER
Work, Power, and Mechanical Efficiency
In this forces activity, students review the equations for work, power, and efficiency and then use these equations to solve 9 word problems.
Curated OER
Blow-and-Go Parachute
Students design a skydiver and parachute constraption to demonstrate how drag caused by air resistance slows the descent of skydivers as they travel back to Earth. They experience how gravity pulls the skydiver toward the earth and how...
Curated OER
What is Work?
Young scholars investigate the connection between work, potential energy, kinetic energy, and heat. In this physics lesson, students use pulleys to produce mechanical advantages and incline planes to demonstrate energy conversion.
Curated OER
Investigating Pulleys
Young scholars investigate pulleys and see how they have a mechanical advantage in lifting heavy loads. In this pulley lesson plan students make a hypothesis, complete and experiment then complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Experiments with Levers
Students investigate levers. For this simple machine lesson, students study levers and the mechanical advantage of using levers. They will collect data and illustrate their systems for eight different tests.
Curated OER
Magnus Effect
Students examine the Magnus effect and its history. In this forces lesson students investigate the lift of a rotating cylinder.
Curated OER
The Lever Family
In this lever worksheet, students determine the ideal mechanical advantage for different classes of levers. This worksheet has 6 problems to solve.