Levers & Pulleys
Investigation 1
Part 2
Lever Experiment A
In this investigation, students will conduct a lever experiment where the load will be kept stationary. The goal of the investigation is to discover the relationship among the load, fulcrum, and effort. Students gather data and graph the results in order to draw conclusions about the advantage in using levers.
3. Lesson set up and Management
1. Systems
- 1.2 Structure of Systems
- 1.2.1 Systems Approach
Describe how the parts of a system interact and influence each other.
(ST01, STI02, STI03, & STI04) - 1.3 Changes in System
- 1.3.1 Nature of Forces
Know the factors that determine the strength and interactions of the various forces.
(CH01 1.3.1)
2. Inquiry
- 2.1 Investigating Systems
- 2.1.1 Questioning
Generate questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
(IN01 2.1.1) - 2.1.4 Modeling
Correlate models of the behavior of objects, events, or processes to the behavior of the actual things under investigation; test models by predicting and observing actual behaviors or processes.
(IN04 2.1.4)
A lever is a simple machine that people use to gain an advantage, such as making work easier. The greatest advantage is gained if the load is close to the fulcrum and the effort is applied as far from the fulcrum as possible.
3. Lesson set up and Management
Materials:
1. Students will continue to record their data and graphs into their student response booklets.
2. Option: instead of taping the dowel to the desk the student puts two or more heavy textbooks to keep the dowel in place.
Student Management:
Discuss appropriate usage of science materials. Students should only have the materials necessary for this lesson. All materials should be returned in the condition in which they were distributed and should only be used in the manner for which they were intended.
Check for broken dowels.
Make sure the spring scales are calibrated to zero.
Make overhead transparencies of all Student Work Sheets to aid in review and discussion.
Read Teacher and Student background sections before doing the investigations.
Writing Support:
Have each student keep a Science Journal with all of the black-line masters that have been handed out. Students should write down Content/Inquiry questions given in the manual for each of the investigations.
Reading Support:
Class-1 levers (see Science Stories folio in teacher manual)