Wheel-and-Axle Systems
Tops
Vocabulary
100
What do you need to create wheel-and-axle system.
You need wheels and an axle.
100
Describe what you need to make a top.
You need a disk and a shaft.
100
What is a slope?
A slope is an angled surface.
200
Describe what the system would look like if it rolled straight.
The system would have 2 of the same sized wheels.
200
Describe a top system that you created. How did it spin?
Answers will vary
200
What is friction.
Friction allows a ball to slow down and stop.
300
What would the system look like if it turned.
It would have a big wheel and a small wheel.
300
Describe what will happen when you spin a top. (Hint: what kind of path could it take.)
Possible answer: The path could start out in a big circle and get smaller then bigger.
400
What would the system look like if it wobbles?
The axle would be at an angle.
400
Describe a top that would be the most stable. (hint: would the discs be towards the top or bottom.)
The discs would be towards the bottom. There can be multiple discs, but it must be towards the bottom.
500
Describe what would happen when a cup rolls down the ramp.
The cup would turn towards the small wheel.
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