LAB #4 – Simple Machines Help Us (620)

Problem: What are the motions that each simple machine makes in order to make work easier?   

Hypothesis: I predict that simple machines make work easier.... How?

Materials: various simple and compound machines

Results:

Name of the object					Purpose of the object		What kind of simple machine/s is it?	Draw a picture of the object
1. Plastic drink top
2. chemistry tongs (2)
3. cabinet drawer track
4. scissors (2)
5. soup spoon (2)
6. blinds
7. spray bottle (2)
8. microscope (3)
9. alligator clips (2)
10. flashlight

Analysis:

1) How do simple machines make our lives easier?

                 

2) Pick three of the objects from the lab and explain how it would be like without them?  How would you accomplish the tasks they help us with without them?

3) Go to your data table and label the fulcrum for each of your levers.

                  

4) Find three simple machines at home and add them to your Results.

5) a. Sketch a picture of each simple machine; use arrows to show the motion of each.  
    b. How does each simple machine change the direction, distance, or magnitude of a force?

Conclusion

What was your problem?

Restate your hypothesis.  Was it right? wrong?  why or why not?

What did you learn in this lab?

What did you like about this lab?

What were some challenges you had to deal with?

What could you do next with this problem?  What other tests could you perform?

Write down any other additional thoughts, observations, inferences, etc.