Simple and Complex Machines
Simple and Complex Machines
Objectives
In this lesson, students will learn about the importance of simple and complex machines and their components. Throughout this lesson, students will learn about the different types of simple machines and complex machines. Students will:
- identify examples of common technological changes, past and present, in the community.
- identify simple and complex machines.
- learn that complex machines are made up of simple machines.
learn that machines have changed throughout time by using simple and complex machines together to accomplish tasks.
Essential Questions
Vocabulary
- Machine: A piece of equipment with a system of parts that work together to do or make something.
- Simple Machine: Any of various devices that function in a manner basic to any machine, such as a lever, pulley, wedge, screw, or inclined plane.
- Complex Machine: A device consisting of two or more simple machines working together.
- Inclined Plane: A plane surface inclined at less than a right angle to a horizontal surface, used to roll or slide a load up or down.
- Wedge: A piece of wood or metal shaped like a triangle with a thin edge. A wedge is driven or forced between objects to split, lift, or make them stronger.
- Screw: A metal device that fastens. You push a screw into a surface by turning it while pressing down on the head.
- Lever: A basic tool used to lift something or open something by lifting it out.
- Pulley: A simple machine that is used for lifting. A pulley is a wheel or set of wheels that a rope or chain is pulled over.
- Wheel and Axle: A machine consisting of a cylindrical drum to which a wheel concentric with and larger than the drum is fastened, so that as an attached rope unwinds from the wheel, another rope is wound onto the drum, exerting an increased force.
Duration
60 minutes/1–2 class periods
Prerequisite Skills
Materials
- copies of Machines in Action 2 worksheet (S-3-4-3_Machines in Action 2 Worksheet and KEY.doc)
- copies of Simple Machines Resource Chart worksheet (S-3-4-3_Simple Machines Resource Chart.doc)
- supplies for the Station activity (choice of one or more):
o Lever: fork, baseball bat, scissors, and stapler
o Inclined Plane: board for a ramp
o Wheel and Axle: rolling pin, roller skates, and an egg beater
o Screw: screw, screw driver, mason jar with lid
o Pulley: rope, bucket
o Wedge: shark tooth and plastic knitting needles
- pencil
- yarn
- wire or plastic clothes hanger
- paper clip
- old magazines from past eras
Related Unit and Lesson Plans
Related Materials & Resources
The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.
- Google Image Result for Simple Machines
https://www.google.com/search?q=Simple+Machines&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=T1jWU87RI86MyATRqoHAAw&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1467&bih=723#q=Simple+Machines&tbm=isch
- Machines in Action
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/Summer_Training/KaeAvenueES/Machines_in_machines.html
- MIKIDS.COM
http://www.mikids.com/Smachines.htm
- Edhead Simple Machines Activities
http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/
- Click, Rumble, Roar: Poems about Machines by Lee Bennet Hopkins. T. Y. Crowell Junior Books, 2000.