Inclined Plane – Simple Machine Student Exploration Answer Key
Vocabulary: coefficient of friction, efficiency, force, free-body diagram, friction, inclined plane,
mechanical advantage, mechanical energy, normal force
...
Inclined Plane – Simple Machine Student Exploration Answer Key
Vocabulary: coefficient of friction, efficiency, force, free-body diagram, friction, inclined plane,
mechanical advantage, mechanical energy, normal force, resultant force, simple machine,
vector, work, work-energy theorem
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
[Note: The purpose of these questions is to activate prior knowledge and get students thinking.
Students are not expected to know the answers to the Prior Knowledge Questions.]
Jan is moving to a new apartment. She needs to load her sofa and other large furniture into a
moving van. The rear of the moving van is 1.5 meters high.
1. What could Jan use to make loading furniture on the van easier?
Answers will vary. Sample answer: Jan could use a ramp to load the furniture.
2. Why would this help?
Answers will vary. Sample answer: By using a ramp, Jan would not have to directly lift the
furniture into the back of the truck.
Gizmo Warm-up
A simple machine can be used to make tasks like lifting heavy
weights easier. One example of a simple machine is a ramp, or
inclined plane. You can use the Inclined Plane – Simple Machine
Gizmo™ to see how inclined planes can help to lift objects.
On the CONTROLS pane, make sure the Angle is 30°, the Coeff.
of friction is 0.00, and the Weight is 300 N.
1. The brick has a weight of 300 newtons (N).
How much force would it take to lift the brick straight up? Slightly more than 300 N
2. Set the External force to On. Set the Applied force to 100 N and click Play ( ).
What happens? The brick and car slide down the ramp.
3. Click Reset ( ). Using the Gizmo, find the smallest force that is required to push the
block
[Show More]