Simple Machines - Pulleys

Driving Questions:

• How do Engineers gather and record data to calculate Mechanical Advantage of their machines?

• Why are pulleys commonly used in compound machines?

• What is the significance of strands in a pulley system?

Project Description

Using VEX kits, my group of three people built a fixed pulley, a movable pulley, and a block and tackle pulley. We created weights to imitate resistance, weighed them, and then attached them to the pulley. Then, we used vernier gauges to measure the force of each pulley, and counted the strands of each. Using the found measurements, we calculated the Ideal Mechanical Advantage, the Actual Mechanical Advantage, and the efficiency of each lever.

What I learned

From this project, I learned about three different types of levers. I learned how to calculate Ideal Mechanical Advantage, Actual Mechanical Advantage, and efficiency of pulleys. I also used more VEX materials and was able to use the materials and build parts more efficiently.