Mini-assessment : Simple Machines

How can simple machines make work easier?

• by decreasing the force needed to complete the task

• by increasing the friction between the machine and the object

• by adding more work on the object than originally applied

• by removing the force of gravity on the object

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Workers push a heavy box up an inclined plane and onto a moving truck. Which best explains why these workers use an inclined plane?

• It makes their work easier because it requires less effort.

• It decreases the amount of work they have to do.

• It increases the amount of friction necessary to do the task.

• It makes the box weigh less.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Two examples of a pulley...

• knife & axe blade
• lightbulb & screw
• flagpole hoist & window blinds
• catapult & teeter totter

One student thinks the bottle opener is a lever. The other student thinks the bottle opener is a wedge. Which question would provide an answer for the students?

• A. Does the bottle opener reduce the friction of opening the bottle?

• B. Does the bottle opener spread out the force of opening the bottle?

• C. Does the bottle opener change the direction of force while opening the bottle?

• D. Does the bottle opener decrease the amount of force needed to open the bottle?

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Jordan is slowly pushing a heavy box across a carpeted floor. After struggling for several minutes, he lifts the box on top of a cart with wheels. Now, he is able to push the box quickly across the carpet. Which problem was solved by putting the box on wheels?

• A. How can the force of friction from the carpet change direction?

• B. How can the force of friction from the carpet be reduced?

• C. How can the force of friction from the carpet be spread out?

• D. How can the force of friction from the carpet be increased?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Sahara wants to chop wood to help clean up his community after a storm. Which question should Johnny ask to help him decide which simple machine to use?

• A. Which simple machine will reduce the force of friction against the wood?

• B. Which simple machine will use less force over a longer distance from the wood?

• C. Which simple machine will help to spread the force out to the sides of the wood?

• D. Which simple machine will change the direction of the force needed to split the wood?

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

The picture below shows a standard wheelchair ramp, approved by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which has a rise of no more than 1 inch for every 12 inches of run. How does the wheelchair ramp change the amount of force required to move the boy in the picture?

• A. The ramp reverses the direction of the force of the boy and the wheelchair.

• B. The ramp increases the force needed to move the boy by decreasing the distance the boy must be moved.

• C. The ramp reduces the weight of the boy and the wheelchair.

• D. The ramp decreases the force needed to move the boy by increasing the distance the boy must be moved.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A student wants to move a heavy box into the back of a truck. Which simple machine would be best to use?

• wheel and axle

• lever

• wedge

• inclined plane

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1