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Balancing the Load: The See-Saw as a Simple Machine

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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.

Summary

Areas of Science
Difficulty
 
Time Required
Very Short (≤ 1 day)
Prerequisites
Playground with a see-saw
Material Availability
Readily available
Cost
Very Low (under $20)
Safety
Be careful getting on and off the see-saw!
Credits
La Né Powers
Edited by Andrew Olson, Science Buddies.

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 and Concepts

Questions

Bibliography

Materials and Equipment

Experimental Procedure

  1. Determine the mass of each of the people participating in the experiment using the scale. (If your scale is calibrated only in pounds, you can convert to kilograms by multiplying by 0.454 kg/lb.) Record the mass of each participant in lab notebook. (For this sample procedure, we will refer to the participants using the following code: Adult=A, First child=C1, Second child=C2.)
  2. Have C1 and C2 sit on the see-saw. Have C1 and C2 adjust their positions until the two masses are balanced. Measure the distance of each mass from the fulcrum. (Note: The distance should be measured along the side of the lever from the center line of the fulcrum to the center line of each mass. If your tape measure is calibrated only in inches, you can convert to meters by multiplying by 0.0254 m/in.) Record the data in your lab notebook (see the example data table).
  3. If one person moves closer to the fulcrum, what happens to the see-saw? Make a second data table like the example for the see-saw when it is unbalanced. (Be sure to note which side of the see-saw is up.)
  4. Have C1 and C2 get off the see-saw, and then repeat steps 2 and 3 four more times.
  5. Repeat the experiment (steps 2–4), but this time try to balance A and C1 or A and C2.

    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    
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Variations

  • After filling out your data tables, can you predict where you could have C1 and C2 sit on one side of the see-saw in order to balance A on the other side?
  • Build a lever that has a moveable pivot point. What are the results of this experiment if you move the pivot point instead of the masses?
  • With a mass on one end of the see-saw, push down on the other end. Experiment with how this type of lever could be used to lift and move a large mass.

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General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Balancing the Load: The See-Saw as a Simple Machine." Science Buddies, 20 Nov. 2020, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Phys_p014/physics/see-saw-simple-machine. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2020, November 20). Balancing the Load: The See-Saw as a Simple Machine. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Phys_p014/physics/see-saw-simple-machine


Last edit date: 2020-11-20
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