Curated OER
Simple Machine Research
Fifth graders demonstrate the ability to use scientific skills and Processes to describe forces that act upon objects to cause specific changes in motion. They identify and describe a science problem related to forces and simple machines.
Curated OER
Galileo Galilei Questions for Study
For this online interactive philosophy worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Galileo's contributions to science.
Curated OER
Let Us Bond Together
Fourth graders paricipate in a demonstration about bond strengths and bond types.
Curated OER
The Concept of Energy
In this energy worksheet, students read about the discoveries of Galileo and how different philosophers contributed to our understanding of energy. Then students complete 4 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-The Gadget War
Students read The Gadget War by Betsy Duffey. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding inventors and inventions. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library connections.
Curated OER
Simple Machines make work easier.
Students examine how simple machine work can make work easier. In this machines instructional activity students complete an activity that shows them what makes up a machine, and how to measure displacement and velocity.
Curated OER
Finding Simple Machines in Farm Machinery
Students identify simple machines and how they must work together to form a piece of equipment used in agriculture. They create a diagram of a piece of farm equipment and write about two of the simple machines they drew.
Curated OER
Wheel & Axle Tractor
Students design and build a tractor using LEGO materials. They write and draw their designs.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Molecular Workbench Showcase: Physics, Mechanics
A collection of simulations representing concepts discussed in a mechanics unit of physics.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Moment of Inertia of Pulley
This lab is designed to have students learn how the size, mass and mass distribution of a pulley influences the rate at which a mass attached to the pulley will accelerate. The pulley is frictionless and the string's mass is negligible.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Pulley Lab
This lab is designed to have students find the relationship between the number of pulleys used and the force required to lift a mass. Students will see that it is not actually the number of pulleys that matter, but the number of strings...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Pulley
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] What a pulley is and the three basic types, and the mechanical advantage of a pulley.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Block and Tackle
[Free Registration/Login Required] A video module where students learn about the relationship between force, work, energy, and mechanical advantage using a simple machine.
The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute Online: The Pulley
This site provides an easy to understand experiment that will demonstrate the pulley to students in grades K-3. It requires only everyday materials. The students are encouraged to discover some of these concepts for themselves and apply...
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Atwood Machine in Fluid Model
Simulation of an Atwood machine where two masses of varying densities are suspended in water using a pulley system. Adjust the densities of the masses, their positions and the water level to see how the changing gravitational, buoyant,...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Simple Machines
Kids learn about the science behind simple machines such as levers, wheels, pulleys, inclined planes, and screws. How they work together to make complex machinery.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Forces in a Rope & Pulley System: Lesson 2
This lesson explains what forces are acting on objects which are at rest or moving in a rope and pulley system. It is 2 of 2 in the series titled "Forces in a Rope & Pulley System."
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Newtons Laws: Atwoods Machine Interactive
Create an Atwood's machine and a modified Atwood's machine in this interactive. Change the amount of mass on either object, introduce friction forces, and measure distance and time in order to calculate the acceleration.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Mechanical Advantage
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Actual and ideal mechanical advantage, how to calculate them and the mechanical advantage of different types of machines.
Soft Schools
Soft Schools: Physics Quizzes: Simple Machines
Assess your understanding of the six simple machines with this interactive multiple choice quiz. Immediate feedback is available.
Ohio State University
Ohio State Univ.: Simple Machines & Mechanical Advantage [Pdf]
This site details how simple machines create a mechanical advantage for humans. Levers, theoretical mechanical advantage, actual mechanical advantage, and pulley systems are discussed.
Walter Fendt
Walter Fendt: Apps Zur Physik
This site, in German, offers numerous apps that illustrate common physics principles. Apps are organized into categories: mechanics, oscillations and waves, electrodynamics, optics, thermodynamics, the theory of relativity, physics of...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Simple Machines and How to Use This Tutorial
There are six simple machines. They are as follows: lever, wheel, pulley, incline plane, wedge, and screw. This tutorial will cover the first three.
SEDL
Southwest Educational Development Laboratory: Simple Machines [Pdf]
This large PDF file contains seven lessons on simple machines. Includes illustrations. Requires Adobe Reader.