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Physical Science Simple Machines Blizzard Bag 2014 - 2015
1. In looking at the figure provided, which of the following acts as a wedge?
A. Nail point
B. Person's arm
C. Board
D. Handle
2. How does a simple pulley make it easier to lift an object?
A. by decreasing the distance over which the force is applied
B. by changing the direction of the input force
C. by making the object lighter
D. by reducing the force needed to lift the object
3. Rick is moving a wheelbarrow full of bricks out to the curb. The bricks in the wheelbarrow
weigh more than Rick is able to carry, yet he is able to move the bricks. How is this possible?
A. Wheelbarrows are effective in spreading the weight out over a larger area.
B. Putting the bricks into the wheelbarrow decreases the force of gravity; thus,
they're lighter.
C. Rick is walking downhill; therefore, gravity is helping carry the load.
D. When Rick lifts the handles of the wheelbarrow most of the weight of the
wheelbarrow's load goes onto its wheel.
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Inclined planes make work easier by decreasing the size of the input force. The amount by
which the inclined plane multiplies the input force, ignoring friction, is called the ideal
mechanical advantage (I.M.A.). This can be determined by dividing the length of the plane by
its height. The weight of the cart used in the study was 240 Newtons (N).
Number of
books
Height of plane Length of plane
(cm)
(cm)
Estimate I.M.A. of
inclined plane
Expected force
(N)
1
10
120
12.0
20
3
30
120
4.0
60
5
50
120
2.4
100
4. Which of the following statements best describes the data shown in the table provided?
A. Increasing the height of the inclined plane decreases the weight of the cart.
B. Increasing the height of the inclined plane decreases the I.M.A. of the inclined
plane.
C. Decreasing the height of the inclined plane decreases the I.M.A. of the inclined
plane.
D. Decreasing the height of the inclined plane increases the weight of the cart.
5. Jim was clearing trash from his yard so that the construction crew could begin his pool. There
was one large rock that needed to be moved. Why would it be easier for Jim if he used a lever
and fulcrum?
A. A lever and fulcrum wouldn't make Jim's job any easier.
B. The lever and fulcrum decrease the amount of force needed to move the rock.
C. Using the lever and fulcrum decreases the weight of the rock.
D. The action of the fulcrum decreases the amount of work to be done.
6.
What type of simple machine is the knob of this water faucet?
A. wheel and axle
B. pulley
C. inclined plane
D. wedge
7. When a simple machine is used to perform a task, which of the following factors may be
affected?
A. the amount of force needed to perform the task
B. the direction in which the force is applied
C. the distance over which the force is applied
D. all of these
8. What does a pulley system need in order to reduce the force needed to lift an object?
A. at least one movable pulley
B. exactly one pulley that has a fixed position
C. No pulley system can reduce the force needed to lift an object.
D. a load that is not too heavy
9. Look at the pictures shown.
In each of these pictures, gears create a mechanical advantage. Which kind of simple machine
do these gears represent?
A. pulley
B. lever
C. wheel and axle
D. screw
10. Using the figure provided, which of the following objects acts as a lever when pulling a nail?
A. Point of nail
B. Hammer
C. Board
D. Head of nail
11. A crowbar is an example of what type of simple machine?
A. pulley
B. wheel and axle
C. screw
D. lever
12.
Carrie lifted a load using the lever shown above. Then, she lifted the load without using the
lever.
Which of the following factors remained constant during both lifts?
A. the direction in which the force was applied
B. the amount of energy needed to lift the load
C. the distance over which the force was applied
D. the amount of force needed to lift the load
13. The Smiths went out to cut down their Christmas tree for this year. Along with their truck,
Mr. Smith brought his two sons and an axe. Why did Mr. Smith bring an axe with him?
A. The axe requires less effort to do the same work.
B. Mr. Smith uses the axe to scrape the snow off of his car.
C. He uses the axe to carry the tree back to the car.
D. The axe reduces the amount of work to be done.
14. A knife is an example of what type of simple machine?
A. lever
B. inclined plane
C. wedge
D. pulley
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Inclined planes make work easier by decreasing the size of the input force. The amount by
which the inclined plane multiplies the input force, ignoring friction, is called the ideal
mechanical advantage (I.M.A.). This can be determined by dividing the length of the plane by
its height. The weight of the cart used in the study was 240 Newtons (N).
Number of
books
Height of plane Length of plane
(cm)
(cm)
Estimate I.M.A. of
inclined plane
Expected force
(N)
1
10
120
12.0
20
3
30
120
4.0
60
5
50
120
2.4
100
15. In an experiment on motion, a cart weighing 240 N was pulled up an inclined plane. Which
of the following would be the expected reading on the spring scale as the cart is pulled up an
inclined plane set upon two books?
A. 40 N
B. 30 N
C. 60 N
D. 10 N