SCIENCE, HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY, YEAR 5 and 6: SIMPLE MACHINES

Monday, April 29, 2013

SIMPLE MACHINES

Simple machines make work easier for us by allowing us to push or pull over increased distances.

There are SIX simple machines:

Type	Example	Activity
1. Pulley - How Stuff Works A pulley is a simple machine that uses grooved wheels and a rope to raise, lower or move a load.		Pulleys
2. Lever - Enchanted Learning animations A lever is a stiff bar that rests on a support called a fulcrum which lifts or moves loads.		Levers
3. Wedge - pictures using LEGO bricks A wedge is an object with at least one slanting side ending in a sharp edge, which cuts material apart.		Wedges
4. Wheel & Axle - Activity using pencils and thread spools A wheel with a rod, called an axle, through its center lifts or moves loads.		Wheels
5. Inclined Plane - pictures using LEGO bricks An inclined plane is a slanting surface connecting a lower level to a higher level.		Inclined Planes
6. Screw - Activity using pencil and paper in a new way A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a pole which holds things together or lifts materials.		Screws

GAME ABOUT FORCES AND MOVEMENT

Learn about forces in action as you experiment how gradients, weights, motion and resistance affect the movement of various objects with this fun science activity. Try and get the truck down the ramp and to the end of the track by adding a range of weights. Record the results in a table as you watch how the different conditions affect the outcome of the experiments. What happens when you make a steep gradient or add a parachute to the back of the truck? Find out while enjoying this fun, interactive game for kids.