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| LESSON 3: THE PHYSICS OF TOOLS | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Student Participation | ||||||||||||||||||
| Models and manipulatives of each simple machine are presented. After handling the manipulatives, students will be able to explain how each simple machine can be used in real world applications (like loading barrels on a truck). | ||||||||||||||||||
| Materials Needed | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Arrowheads. 2. Clamshells 3. Windlass 4. Balancebeam 5. Springscale |
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| Station logistics and safety | ||||||||||||||||||
| Foredeck works well for windlass tug of war. Everything else is portable. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Starting Point | ||||||||||||||||||
| Have you ever tried to open a door without a doorknob? (Sample) Which will slide easier, a block or a marble? (Sample) If you can't lift a package does any work get done? | ||||||||||||||||||
| Procedures | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1.Lever and balance beam. Introduce fulcrum,
effort, resistance. 2.Windlass as circular lever. Introduce cog, couple. 3.Wedge. Introduce arrowhead and clamshell-scraper. Skinny wedge more powerful than blunt wedge. Screw is circular wedge. 4. Gear. Change direction, speed, or size of the force you apply. 5. Ocarina, harmonica, or pennywhistle. Work to music. Seachantey. The Advantage of rhythm and working together. |
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| Findings, Observations and Discussion | ||||||||||||||||||
| Use scales and known mass to determine the efficiency of each machine. Which is the least efficient and which the most efficient? Can you predict something about the nature of friction? How can machines help the crew sail this boat? | ||||||||||||||||||
| Real-World Applications | ||||||||||||||||||
| Scientist, mechanical engineer, efficiency expert. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Links to State Framework | ||||||||||||||||||
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Because tools are so familiar and their concept is easily understood,
they are a fine introduction to physics and technology. This lesson
expands the concepts introduced in the mechanical advantage lesson
to other tools but also introduces the concept of social interaction
when music and sea chanteys are mentioned. The Rhode Island Framework publication "Science Literacy
for All Students" is concerned that all students have a grasp
of the importance of technology in daily life, they have a benchmark
that fifth grade students will know that: "Technology extends the ability of people to change the
world: to cut, shape, or put together materials; to move things
from one place to another; to reach farther with their hands,
voices, senses, and minds." (SLAS) When the students are introduced to the PROVIDENCE and shown how simple machines work in concert to help a small crew complete tasks that appear at first to be impossible, they gain a new appreciation of the role of technology in the real world. |
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| Vocabulary | ||||||||||||||||||
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