Watch It Slide!
A Mayan temple.
Students use inclined planes as they recreate the difficult task of raising a monolith of rock to build a pyramid. They compare the push and pull of different-sized blocks up an inclined plane, determine the angle of inclination, and learn the changes that happen when the angle is increased or decreased.
Engineers often incorporate simple machines into their designs of real-world inventions and tools. They use the concept of inclined planes and screws to build useful, strong and durable structures and products. The mechanical advantages of inclined planes may be found in highway access ramps, sidewalk ramps, stairs, escalators, inclined conveyor belts, and switchback roads or trails. Screws are common in everyday applications such as bolts, clamps, fasteners, jar lids, car jacks, spinning stools, spiral staircases, drilling rigs, as well as many types of screws that are designed by engineers for specific purposes.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Identify the different forces acting on an object on an inclined plane.
- Explain how engineers often design things using inclined planes and screws.
- Define and understand inclined plane, friction, work, pull force and screw.
- Describe adjustments they would make to an inclined plane to make the work of moving an object up the plane easier.
- Identify patterns that can be used to predict future motion.