Education Technology

Mechanical Advantage

Subject Area
Science: Physics: Work, Energy and Momentum
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire Version
3.6
Resource Types
Lessons
Data Collection
Format
TNS

Mechanical Advantage

Activity Overview

In this lesson, students will explore the relationship between resistance force and effort force for the inclined plane and the lever.

Objectives

  • Students will determine the mechanical advantages and efficiencies of simple machines.
  • Students will relate the factors that affect the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane and a lever.
  • Students will develop an understanding of the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane and a lever as they relate to the concepts of force, torque, and static equilibrium.

Vocabulary

  • first-class lever
  • inclined plane
  • static equilibrium
  • force
  • mechanical advantage
  • torque

About the Lesson

This lesson has students explore the relationship between resistance force and effort force for inclined planes and levers.

  • Students first gather real-world data for the effort force required to hold a mass stationary on an inclined plane versus the height and length of the plane. Then students use simulation to explore the mechanical advantage of first-class levers.
  • Students predict and test formulas for the mechanical advantage of inclined planes and levers, and then apply their formulas in real-world applications.
Subject Area
Science: Physics: Work, Energy and Momentum
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire Version
3.6
Resource Types
Lessons
Data Collection
Format
TNS
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