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 to calculate the mechanical advantage of each. 

Concepts

machines, simple machines, work, force, wedges, inclined planes, screws, mechanical advantage, technology resources

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Additional Tags

engineer, machine, plane

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Instructional Ideas

• Provide different inclined plane, wedge, and screw dimensions and have the class calculate the individual simple machine's mechanical advantage
• Bring in several compound machines and have class members find the simple machines that compose it

Classroom Considerations

• The class should be familiar with the six simple machines
• The third in a 10-part series

Pros

• The plan has a clear set of learning objectives
• Background information provides the information that a teacher would need to know in order to calculate the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane, wedge, and screw

Cons

• Instructional strategies are not clear

Common Core

7.EE.B.4.a 8.EE.C.7.a MP6