Unit of Inquiry #2
Big Idea:
Machines are devices that transfer force and energy.
Essential Questions (understandings so far):
1. Force
- What is a force, especially a balanced force vs. an unbalanced force? How are push, pull, slide, roll, and drop all forces?
• How is an applied force different than a force like gravity or friction? - What is Newton’s first law and second law?
- How do the terms “load”, “effort”, “work” apply to the definition of simple machines?
2. Simple Machines
- How do the 3 classes of levers compare?
- How does moving the fulcrum affect the effort/force applied?
- What is the simple machine: wheel and axle? What are some examples of these in real life?
• How can you use a paperclip, a paper cup, a bendable straw and some string to make a real model of a wheel and axle? - How can we make a pulley? How does a pulley help us to do work?
- How does the steepness or the shallowness of an inclined plan affect the direction/force of work?
- What are some examples of inclined planes in real life? How do these reduce work?
- What is the relationship between an inclined plane and a wedge?
- Describe what a wedge looks like, and what it is purposed for.
- What are some real life examples of a wedges?