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Classwork – Simple Machines Internet Activity
Complete the worksheet on simple machines, including key terms, concepts, and
examples of each type of simple machine. Highlight your answers.
Use the following web sites for reference:
http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
http://idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/simple_machines/facts.cfm
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/InventorsToolbox.html
http://www.rube-goldberg.com/index.html
1. What are the six simple machines?
2. What is believed to be the first machine ever used?
3. Define the following: lever, fulcrum, effort, and resistance.
4. Find a picture and explain a first class lever. Provide 3 examples of a first class lever.
5. Find a picture and explain a second class lever. Provide 3 examples of a second class
lever.
6. Find a picture and explain a third class lever. Provide examples of a third class lever.
7. What is an incline plane? Find a picture and provide 3 examples of an incline plane.
8. What does an incline plane not do for you?
9. What is the trade off when using an incline plane?
10. What is a wedge? Find a picture and provide 3 examples of the wedge.
11. What are wedges used for?
12. What is a screw? Find a picture and provide 3 examples of the screw.
13. What is believed to be the most important invention in history?
14. What is a wheel and axle? Find a picture and provide 3 examples of a wheel and
axle.
15. What was the forerunner of the wheel? When was it used?
16. What is a pulley? Provide 3 examples of where a pulley is used.
17. Find or draw a picture then explain a simple pulley.
18. Find or draw a picture then explain a movable pulley.
19. Find and draw a picture then explain a compound pulley.
20. Who is Rube Goldberg and what is he best known for?