S4P3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the relationship between balanced and unbalanced forces.
Vocabulary:
- Gravity: the natural force that causes things to fall toward the earth
- Acceleration: a change in speed (velocity) or direction
- Friction: a force that opposes motion between two objects that are in contact
- Force: a push or a pull an action that will change the motion of an object
- Push: exert force on (someone or something), typically with one's hand, in order to move them away from oneself
- Pull: exert force on (someone or something), typically by taking hold of them, in order to move or try to move them toward you
- Work: the result of a force moving an object
- Mass: a measure of the amount of matter in an object
- Speed: the rate of motion (distance ÷ time)
- Motion: an object’s change in position over time
- Inclined Plane: Straight, slanted surface; Makes work easier because it is easier to move something to a higher or lower place
- Wedge: Inclined plane that moves; Two inclined planes joined back to back; Wider or thicker at one end than at the other; Makes work easier because when moved, a wedge cuts, splits, or pries apart objects (including air and water)
- Screw: Inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder with a wedge at the tip; Makes work easier because it applies lots of force with little effort; Makes work easier because it is used to hold things together; More threads on a screw make it easier to turn, but it takes longer; A screw might be called a complex machine because it has both an inclined plane and a wedge at its tip
- Lever: Made up of a bar that pivots at a fixed point called a fulcrum; Force applied to a lever is called the effort; Object moved is the load; Three classes of levers
- Wheel & Axle: Consists of two circular objects of different sizes; A wheel is connected to a post (axle); Wheel is larger than the axle; Makes work easier because it applies more force or lifts a heavy load with less effort
- Pulley: Wheel and axle with a groove around the outside; A pulley needs a rope, chain or belt around the groove to make it do work; Pulley systems can consist of one or more fixed pulleys, one or more movable pulleys, or both fixed and movable pulleys; Makes work easier by changing the direction of the force or multiplying the effort used
Rube Goldberg Design Simulation Activity