Introduction
Did you know there were many simple machines in science that we learn about? Simple Machines are machines with few or no movind parts. There are 6 different types of simple machines.
- Lever
- The Wheel and Axel
- The Pulley
- Inclined Plane
- Screw
- Wedge
These machines are used to make work faster and easier so less force having to be used on an object. Simple machines often use less force over a longer distance. A force is a push or pull. Work is done when a force moves an object or changesand object's motion.
Task
When you do an experiment, you are trying to answer a question through research. Sometimes you can answer a question from the data or results you collect. Sometimes you may have to infer the answers using other facts you know.
Can running water do work? To answer this question make a water wheel. Then observe what happens to it under running water. Use your observationsand what you know to infer whether water can do work.
Process
1. Take the plastic pre-cut plate and gently push a pencil through the center of the plastic plate.
2. Tie one end of a piece of thread to a paper clip. Tape the other end to the pencil, near the hole in the plate.
3. Turn on the faucet until a little water flows out.
4. Rest the pencil across the palms of your hands. Then hold the edge of the plate 2 cm under the water. Record your observations.
5. Repeat with a larger stream of water. Record what you observe.
Now use observations and facts you know to answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper.
- What type of simple machine is your water wheel?
- What makes the water wheel move?
- Does using more water make the water wheel move faster? How can you tell?
- Can running water do work? How?
Evaluation
- Students will be graded on if they followed directions while creating their water wheel.
- Students will also be graded on questions they answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Conclusion
How did you have to infer some of your answers? What was your thinking behind this activity? Explain on the back of your paper (for bonus points) your reasoning behind why your water wheel worked and what you learned today from creating it.
Credits
Teacher Page
This lesson is to help students to infer using their prior knowledge and creating their own simple machine.