The Dragging Dilemma: Overcoming Friction to Move Rocks
Students explore the concept of dragging friction and participate in an activity to understand the cultural significance of the minga tradition. They then apply this knowledge to design a method for transporting materials up a hill. Their solution must reduce friction without altering the inclined plane, incorporate principles of the minga tradition, and utilize discarded materials commonly found in the area.
A prototype is being tested on the design apparatus.Copyright Douglas Picard and Christina Smith (2024)
Engineers across several disciplines study friction, mechanical advantage, material choice, and force analysis to design efficient and reliable systems. Mechanical engineers use these concepts to optimize machines, tools, and structures for performance and safety. Civil engineers apply them when designing buildings, bridges, and transportation systems to ensure stability and durability. Aerospace engineers rely on these principles to reduce drag and improve the performance of aircraft and spacecraft. Materials engineers focus on selecting and testing materials that can withstand specific forces and reduce friction.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Understand how to calculate the force required in Newtons to move materials up an inclined plane with varying amounts of friction.
- Use the engineering design process to design a prototype that considers the end users’ available resources.
- Make mechanical advantage predictions based on resistance, distance, and force variables.