Wheel and Axle
Use a wheel and axle to move a large, heavy load. Find out how many barbarians it takes to move the load under different conditions. The radii of the wheel and the axle can be adjusted to help study mechanical advantage.
Launch GizmoWheel and Axle
Use a wheel and axle to move a large, heavy load. Find out how many barbarians it takes to move the load under different conditions. The radii of the wheel and the axle can be adjusted to help study mechanical advantage.
5 Minute Preview
Use for 5 minutes a day.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Identify the parts of a wheel and axle.
- Understand that a wheel and axle is a simple machine that can reduce the force needed to move a load.
- Show that increasing the wheel radius decreases the effort needed to turn the wheel.
- Show that decreasing the axle radius also decreases the effort needed to turn the wheel.
- Observe the relationship between the effort it takes to move the wheel and the distance that the wheel is turned.
- Calculate the approximate mechanical advantage of a wheel and axle.
VOCABULARY:
- effort, force, load, mechanical advantage, radius, wheel and axle
LESSON MATERIALS:
FROM OUR COMMUNITY
User Submitted Lesson Materials (5):
Google Doc of Student Exploration Sheet
In the file, click on the link to make a copy of the Google Doc of the Student Exploration Sheet.
Best For:
3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade Science
Wheel and Axle Vocabulary Document Translated Into French
This is the Wheel and Axle Vocabulary Document Translated Into French.
Best For:
Earth/Space Science, Middle School Life Science, Middle School Physical Science
Wheel and Axle Teacher Guide Document Translated Into French
This is the Wheel and Axle Teacher Guide Document Translated Into French.
Best For:
Earth/Space Science, Middle School Life Science, Middle School Physical Science
Wheel and Axle Student Exploration Document Translated Into French
This is the Wheel and Axle Student Exploration Document Translated Into French.
Best For:
Earth/Space Science, Middle School Life Science, Middle School Physical Science
La roue et l'axe
French translation for the Wheel and Axle activity, ideal for grade 8 science (Ontario).
Best For:
Middle School Physical Science
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