Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Inertia: An Object in Motion Will Tend to Stay in Motion
This activity is a take off of Galileo's experiment with the inclined planes to show that an object in motion would stay in a straight line motion if no outside forces acted were acting on it. In this version, students will roll a ball...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Engineering: Simple Machines
Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier. Students are introduced to the six types of simple machines - the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley - in the context of the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Simple Machines and Modern Day Engineering Analogies
Students apply the mechanical advantages and problem-solving capabilities of six types of simple machines (wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, pulley) as they discuss modern structures in the spirit of the engineers and...
Read Works
Read Works: Safer Sidewalks
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about curb ramps to make sidewalks safer. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix Series: Friction
[Free Registration/Login Required] Use given friction formulas and an interactive diagram for an inclined plane to solve a motion problem. After the activity, answer a challenge question to check for understanding.
Integrated Publishing
Integrated Publishing/the Screw
A full and complete discussion of the simple machine called the screw, a modified inclined plane. Many examples and drawings and applications.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: What Is Gravity?
In this activity, students will perform a series of experiments with inclined planes. They will learn that as the angle of inclination of the inclined plane approaches 90 degrees, the value of the acceleration of the cart traveling down...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: The Soup Roll
A lab activity written for grade 5. Young scholars roll various cans down inclined planes and compare the times required to reach the bottom. Results are related to rotational inertia.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Solid Rock to Building Block
Students continue their pyramid building journey, acting as engineers to determine the appropriate wedge tool to best extract rock from a quarry and cut into pyramid blocks. Using sample materials (wax, soap, clay, foam) representing...
Curated OER
Image of Inclined Plane
An interactive Java applet from the University of Utah that allows users to investigate the effect of the coefficient of friction on the motion of a block sliding down an incline. Initial height of the block and the friction coefficient...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: The Ramp
Which object takes more energy to push up a ramp: a file cabinet, a refrigerator, a piano, or a sleepy dog? Find out in this ramp simulation when you change the angle of the incline, change the objects, or change the friction on the ramp.
The Franklin Institute
Spotlighting Simple Machines
Simple machines such as inclined planes in wedges and screws are explained.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Dish It Out, Simple Machine Game
Explore the physics of motion and simple machines with this interactive game. Try a pre-made challenge or set up ramps in your own challenge to get the mysterious Dim Sum ball into the take-out container.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Simple Machines
Kids learn about the science behind simple machines such as levers, wheels, pulleys, inclined planes, and screws. How they work together to make complex machinery.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Nctm: Figure This: Access Ramp
So, you're interested in becoming a civil engineer, builder, or landscaper? Then you'll need to sharpen your skills in measuring slope. Try this math challenge where you will discover how to measure the steepness of an incline.
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Explore and Play: Sliding Peep
Students make their own ramps and test them out by sending various objects down them.
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Share the Day's Discoveries
Share and discuss ideas the young scholars have about ramps and rolling objects.
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Share the Day's Discoveries
Discuss classroom explorations and discoveries about ramps.
PBS
Wgbh: Peep and the Big Wide World: Explore and Play: Toy Sleds
Students experiment with different materials and objects to make a sled that will slide down the ramps.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Simple Machines Learning Site: Wedge
Several examples, along with a definition and explanation of the simple machine, the wedge.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Power of Motor for Billy on Hill (Level 1)
Students must determine the power that is being exerted by a motor to pull a person up a frictionless incline.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Curious George Stem: Ramp N Roll Lesson Plan
Explore how different objects move down ramps in this Curious George instructional activity. Learners will make predictions about how objects will roll down different heights of ramps.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Energy of Motion
By taking a look at the energy of motion all around us, students learn about the types of energy and their characteristics. They first learn about the two simplest forms of mechanical energy: kinetic and potential energy, as illustrated...
Government of Alberta
Learn Alberta: Math Interactives: Exploring Square Roots Video
This video illustrates the concepts of square roots, slope, and the Pythagorean Theorem as they are used in designing and constructing skate park rails, ramps, and pipes. An interactive activity is also included where students are able...