SIMPLE MACHINES
LEVER POWER
WHAT AM I?
EVERYDAY LIFE
FORCE & MOTION
100


There are six types of simple machines. Name three of them.

Lever, inclined plane, wheel and axle, pulley, screw, wedge.

100

What is the name of the point where a lever pivots?


Answer:
Fulcrum.

100
  • I have a wheel.
  • I have a rope.
  • I can help you lift things.
  • You can find me on some flagpoles.

Pulley

100

Name two simple machines you can find in a classroom.


Communication bonus:
 Explain how one of them works.

Possible answers:

  • scissors → lever
  • stapler → lever
  • pencil sharpener → wedge
  • ruler → can be used as a lever
  • door handle → wheel and axle/lever depending on design
100

What happens when you apply force to a lever?


Possible answer:

The lever moves and can move the load

200

What type of simple machine is a ramp?


Extra 100: Why is it easier than lifting the object straight up?  

Inclined plane.


Because the ramp spreads the effort over a longer distance.  

200

In a first-class lever, what is in the middle?

A. The load
B. The force
C. The fulcrum


Answer:
C. The fulcrum

200
  1. I have a sloping surface.
  2. I help people move objects upward.
  3. You can see me at the entrance of accessible buildings.
  4. Wheelchairs can use me.


Answer:
Ramp / Inclined plane

200

You are riding a bicycle.

What simple machine helps the bicycle move?



Answer:
Wheel and axle.

200

In tug-of-war, if neither team moves, what can we say about the forces?


Answer:
The forces are balanced.

300

You are opening a bottle with a bottle opener.       Which simple machine are you using?


Extra 100: Can you name another object that works as a lever? 

Lever.



Scissors, seesaw, crowbar, stapler.

300

Look at this situation:

You are using a seesaw. One student sits very far from the center, and another student sits close to the center.

Who has the mechanical advantage? Why?

The student farther from the fulcrum has more leverage.

300
  1. I have a pivot point.
  2. You can push one side and move another part.
  3. A seesaw is an example.
  4. A bottle opener is another example.


Answer:
Lever

300

You are moving a heavy box into a truck.

Would you rather:

A. Lift it directly
or
B. Use a ramp?

Explain your choice.

Use a ramp because it requires less force.

300

Team A pulls harder than Team B.

What will probably happen?

Why?



Answer:
Team A will pull Team B toward them.

Because Team A applies more force


The tug-of-war activity in the source explicitly connects the activity to opposing and balanced forces.

400

You are turning a jar lid to open it. 

Which simple machine is involved?

Screw.


400

You need to lift a very heavy object with a lever.

Would you rather have a long effort arm or a short effort arm?

Extra 100: Explain why.




Answer:
A long effort arm.


A longer effort arm requires less force.

400
  1. I have a wheel and an axle.
  2. I help objects move.
  3. Bicycles use me.
  4. Rolling carts use me.


Answer:
Wheel and axle

400

You need to raise a flag.

Would you push the flag up or pull a rope down?

What simple machine can help you?


Answer:
Pull the rope down; use a pulley.

The source specifically uses window blinds and flagpoles to illustrate how a pulley changes the direction of force.

400

True or False?

“Simple machines reduce the weight of an object.”



Answer:
FALSE.

Explain:


Simple machines do not reduce the weight. They reduce the force needed to move the object.


This distinction is particularly important because the source explicitly uses it as a critical-thinking challenge.

500

Your friend needs to move a very heavy box to a higher level.

You have a ramp, a pulley, and a lever.

Which one would you choose and why?

“I would choose ______ because...”
“It would be easier because...”
“In my opinion...”
“I agree/disagree because...”

500

“If I move the fulcrum closer to the load, __________________.”


Bonus (+100):
Explain why.

Expected answer:
…I need less force to lift the load

500
  1. I have a sharp edge.
  2. I can split or separate materials.
  3. Knives use me.
  4. Axes use me.
  5. A doorstop is another example.


Answer:
Wedge


500

Your team has 30 seconds to name:

  • 1 lever
  • 1 pulley
  • 1 wedge
  • 1 screw
  • 1 inclined plane
  • 1 wheel and axle

AND

Choose one and explain how it makes work easier.

1,000 bonus points if every team member speaks at least once.


  • Lever: Scissors ✂️
  • Pulley: Flagpole 🚩
  • Wedge: Knife 🔪
  • Screw: Jar lid
  • Inclined plane: Ramp
  • Wheel and axle: Bicycle 🚲
500

Complete and explain:

If humans didn't have simple machines, everyday life would be…

You must give at least two examples.


Possible ideas:

“...harder.”
“We would need more force.”
“Moving heavy objects would be more difficult.”
“Transportation would be different.”

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