The Lever: A Simple Machine

In part of our unit, students learned about three types of levers .  In each case, students examined how the placement of fulcrum affected the effort needed to move the load.

• Class 1 Lever example:  Teeter-todder
• Class 2 Lever Example:  Wheel Barrel
• Class 3 Lever Example:  Tweezers

In addition, I have included some pictures of our Inclined Plane and Wedge experiments.  Below are some pictures and videos.

                                          James, can you lift the books?

                                         The Wedge Lab

Part of our Inclined Plane Lab:  Does using an inclined plane make work easier?

Students did this lab using a 4ft, 5ft and 6ft board.  

Students first tested lifting their cups without the help of an inclined plane.

Class 3 Lever

                                         Students learned how force travels through a wedge.