Abstract
Have you ever tried to pull out a nail out of wood with your bare hands? Or have you tried to shove a staple through a stack of papers without a stapler? A hammer's claw, a stapler, a pair of pliers and a shovel are each examples of everyday tools that use levers to make our work easier.Objective
In this experiment, you will use a playground see-saw to investigate how a simple machine works. The objective is to learn the relationship between mass and distance when the see-saw is balanced and unbalanced.
Introduction
The see-saw is not just a playground toy, it is an example of a simple machine.
In physics, simple machines are tools that make it easier to do work. A lever is an example of a simple machine. A lever is a straight rod or board that pivots on a stationary point called a pivot point or a fulcrum. Levers are often used to lift heavy loads. A see-saw, a shovel, and a wheelbarrow are all examples of levers.
Terms, Concepts and Questions to Start Background Research
Questions
Bibliography
Materials and Equipment
Experimental Procedure
| Sample Data Table: Level Balanced | ||||||||
| Mass on Left (kg) |
Mass on Right (kg) |
Trial (#) |
Distance: Fulcrum to Left Mass (m) |
Distance: Fulcrum to Right Mass (m) |
Average Distance: Left (m) |
Average Distance: Right (m) |
Distance × Mass: Left (kg×m) |
Distance × Mass: Right (kg×m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Mass of C1) | (Mass of C2) | 1 | ||||||
| 2 | ||||||||
| 3 | ||||||||
| 4 | ||||||||
| 5 | ||||||||
| (Mass of A) | (Mass of C1) | 1 | ||||||
| 2 | ||||||||
| 3 | ||||||||
| 4 | ||||||||
| 5 | ||||||||
Variations
Credits
La Né Powers
Edited by Andrew Olson, Science Buddies.
Last edit date: 2006-01-12 16:54:14
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