ALEX | Alabama Learning Exchange

Simple Machine Challenge

Classroom Resource Information

Title:

Simple Machine Challenge

URL:

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/activity/simple-machine-challenge/

Content Source:

National Geographic

Type:

Lesson/Unit Plan

Overview:

Students are challenged, using everyday objects, to create simple machines to complete specific tasks. They are introduced to the concept that simple machines make work easier. Students will complete challenges using levers, pulleys, wheel and axles, and robots.

Content Standard(s):

Science
SC2015 (2015)
Grade: 9-12
Physical Science

12 ) Design, build, and test the ability of a device (e.g., Rube Goldberg devices, wind turbines, solar cells, solar ovens) to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.*

Unpacked Content

Scientific And Engineering Practices:

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Crosscutting Concepts: Energy and Matter

Disciplinary Core Idea: Energy

Evidence Of Student Attainment:

Students:

D design a device to convert one form of energy to another.
Build their designed device to convert one form of energy to another.
Test their device that converts one form of energy to another.

Teacher Vocabulary:

Energy
Force
Machine
Simple machine
Complex machine
Wedge
Screw
Inclined plane
Pulley
Wheel
Axle
Lever
Work
Conservation of energy
Ideal mechanical advantage
Actual mechanical advantage
Efficiency
Heat
Temperature

Knowledge:

Students know:

Energy can be converted from one form to another in a designed system.
Energy can manifest itself in many ways at the macroscopic level such as motion, sound, light and thermal energy.
No system can be 100% efficient.

Skills:

Students are able to:

Identify the scientific principles that provide the basis for the energy conversion design.
Identify the forms of energy that will be converted from one form to another in the designed system.
Identify losses of energy by the design system to the surrounding environment.
Describe the scientific rationale for choices made for materials and structure of their device in their design plan.
Use results of the tests to improve the device performance by increasing the efficiency of energy conversion.
Determine the component simple machines that make up complex machines such as categorizing a wedge and screw as a variation of an inclined plane; a pulley and wheel/ axle as a variation of a lever.
Explain the relationship between work input and work output for simple machines using the law of conservation of energy. (W = FΔd)
Define and determine ideal and actual mechanical advantage. (IMA = dE/dR AMA = FR/FE)
Define and determine efficiency of machines. (Wout/Win x 100%)
Explain why no machine can be 100% efficient.

Understanding:

Students understand that:

In designing a system for energy storage, for energy distribution, or to perform some practical task, it is important to design for maximum efficiency—thereby ensuring that the largest possible fraction of the energy is used for the desired purpose rather than being transferred out of the system in unwanted ways.
Changes of energy and matter in a system can be described in terms of energy and matter flows into, out of, and within that system.

AMSTI Resources:

ASIM Physics Module:
Rube Goldberg Machine

Tags:

device, lever, pulley, robot, simple machine, wheel and axle

License Type:

Custom Permission Type
See Terms: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/terms-of-service/
For full descriptions of license types and a guide to usage, visit :
https://creativecommons.org/licenses

Accessibility

Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings

Comments

National Geographic Education is free for Educators.

This resource provided by:

Author:

Stephanie Carver

ALEX Classroom Resource

Simple Machine Challenge