Technology
Which of the following would be considered technology?
a. A classification scheme for all animals.
b. A vaccination that will keep all animals from contracting the flu.
c. A new diet for dogs that will lead to longer life.
d. An understanding of what causes urinary -tract infections in cats.
(5)
Items (b) and (c) are technology.
Items (a) and (d) are pieces of information. They do not improve the quality of life.
How is applied science different from science?
(2)
Applied science differs from science in motive. In applied science, the goal is to make something better. In science, the goal is simply to learn.
What is the mechanical advantage of a first-class lever in which the fulcrum is 10 inches from the resistance and 40 inches from the effort?
(8)
Mechanical advantage = (distance from fulcrum to effort) ÷ (distance from fulcrum to resistance)
Mechanical advantage = 40 ÷ 10 = 4
Define force.
(1. b.)
A push or pull exerted on an object in an effort to change the object's velocity.
List all six types of simple machines.
(6)
1. The lever
2. The pulley
3. The wheel and axle
4. The inclined plane
5. The wedge
6. The screw
Identify each of the following as a science experiment or an applied science experiment.
a. An experiment to determine how to make electronic circuits smaller.
b. An experiment to understand what factors affect how electricity runs in an electronic circuit.
c. An experiment to figure out how to reduce electronic noise in an electronic circuit.
d. An experiment to figure out the speed of electrons as they flow through an electronic circuit.
(4)
Experiments (a) and (c) are applied science experiments because the goal is to make something better.
Experiments (b) and (d) are science experiments because the goal is to learn something. Even though the knowledge gained might be useful, that is not the primary goal. Since the primary goal is knowledge, these are science experiments.
What gives rise to technology?
(3)
Technology can result from accident, science, or applied science.
What does the following equation mean?
Mechanical advantage = 40 ÷10 = 4
(9)
The mechanical advantage means that the effort is magnified by 4.
Define diameter.
(1. d.)
The length of a straight line that travels from one side of a circle to another and passes through the center of the circle.
Which two simple machines look identical?
(7)
The inclined plane and the single-wedge look identical.
What is the mechanical advantage of an inclined plane with a slope of 6 feet and a height of 2 feet?
(17)
Mechanical advantage = (length of slope) ÷ (height)
Mechanical advantage = 6 ÷ 2 = 3
A screw with a pitch of 0.1 inches is turned with a screwdriver whose diameter is 2 inches. What is the mechanical advantage?
(19)
The mechanical advantage equation for a screw depends on the circumference of what is being turned, in this case it is the screwdriver. So, we need to calculate the circumference of the screwdriver.
Circumference = 3.1416 x 2 = 6.2832
Mechanical advantage = (circumference) ÷ (pitch)
Mechanical advantage - 6.2832 ÷ 0.1 = 62.832
What is the mechanical advantage of a wheel and axle when the wheel has a diameter of 15 inches and the axle has a diameter of 3 inches?
(12)
Mechanical advantage - (diameter of the wheel) ÷ (diameter of the axle)
Mechanical advantage = 15 ÷ 3 = 5
Define simple machine.
(1.a.)
A device that either multiplies or redirects a force.
A child's see-saw is a lever. To what class does it belong?
(11)
In a see-saw, the middle does not move. One child is the resistance and the other is the effort. The fulcrum is between the effort and the resistance This is a first-class lever.
What is the mechanical advantage of wedge with a slope of 6 feet and a height of 2 feet?
(18)
The mechanical advantage equation for a wedge is the same as it is for an inclined plane. Since both have the same dimensions, the mechanical advantage is 3.
If you are having a hard time turning a screw, should you get a longer screwdriver or a fatter one?
(20)
You should get a fatter screwdriver. The mechanical advantage of a screw/screwdriver combination is dependent on the circumference of the screwdriver. Thus, the fatter the screwdriver, the better!
In a wheel and axle, the wheel has a diameter of 15 inches and the axle has a diameter of 3 inches.
If a person turned the wheel of the wheel and axle, what would the mechanical advantage do?
(13)
When the wheel is turned, a wheel and axle magnifies the effort. The applied force will be magnified 5 times.
Define mechanical advantage.
(1.c.)
The amount by which force or motion is magnified in a simple machine.
A shovel is an example of a lever. To what class does a shovel belong?
(10)
In a shovel, the part that does not move is the handle. You hold onto the handle with one hand, and you lift the middle of the shovel with the other. The effort is in the middle of the shovel. The resistance is in the shovel's head. The fulcrum is at one end, and the effort is between the fulcrum and the resistance. This is a third-class lever.
A block and tackle is composed of six pulleys that all work together. What is the mechanical advantage of the block and tackle system?
(15)
The mechanical advantage of a block and tackle is simply equal to the number of pulleys that work together. So, the mechanical advantage is 6.
DAILY DOUBLE QUESTION!!
For 1000 points, answer the following question:
X-rays were discovered in 1895 by German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen. In the process of trying to understand something, he inadvertently discovered X-rays. What was this something he was trying to understand?
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was trying to understand what electricity was.
In a wheel and axle, the diameter of wheel is 15 inches, and the diameter of axle is 3 inches.
If a person turned the axle, what would the mechanical advantage do?
(14)
When the axle is turned, speed is magnified. The wheel will move at 5 times the speed of the axle.
Define circumference.
(1.e.)
The distance around a circle, equal to 3.1416 times the circle's diameter.
A block and tackle is composed of six pulleys that all work together. How many feet of rope would have to be pulled if a person wanted to lift a load 1 foot?
(16)
The mechanical advantage allows you to use less force when you lift, but you pay for that by having to pull that much more rope. If the person wants to lift the load 1 foot and the mechanical advantage is 6, this person will need to pull 6 feet of rope.