Tools and Equipment, Part I
Through a series of activities, students discover that the concept of mechanical advantage describes reality fairly well. They act as engineers creating a design for a ramp at a construction site by measuring four different inclined planes and calculating the ideal mechanical advantage versus the actual mechanical advantage of each. Then, they use their analysis to make recommendations for the construction site.
Figure 1. An inclined plane allows wheel-chair access to public transportation.Copyright U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, http://www.fta.dot.gov/printer_friendly/about_FTA_2448.html
It is important for engineers to know the measured effectiveness of the tools they use. While effectiveness can be learned through experience, it can also be calculated theoretically. An inclined plane is a simple machine often used in engineering activities (usually construction), and its associated mechanical advantage helps engineers design devices so work can be done efficiently and effectively. Measuring mechanical advantage helps engineers optimize a design so that the best possible solution to a mechanical problem is achieved. Engineers have to often design the temporary supports and structures for bridges and buildings, which may include several of the simple machines.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Calculate the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane in two different ways.
- Explain why the concept of mechanical advantage is useful for engineers.
- Perform engineering design work in a group.