Today we introduced our unit on simple machines. Please use the attached files below for the in-class PowerPoint as well as the guided notes. 

Today we finished up out in-class notes on simple machines. We will have a quiz tomorrow on the information up to this point. For homework tonight, you have a lever worksheet that is two sides. This worksheet is due tomorrow in class. There is also a Quizlet for review. See the link below!

When I say TRADEOFF you say.... FORCE AND DISTANCE! 

Machines help us do work but nothing is free. Machines help us do work by changing the magnitude of the input force, changing the distance of the input force applied and/or changing the direction of the input force. In this Mini Lab we'll be looking at how many times a machine multiplies the input force. We call this Mechanical Advantage. The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane, for example, comes from the tradeoff of output distance to input distance. In our case, if we apply our force over an input distance much larger than the output distance, the input force needed to do the work will be low! This tradeoff can be seen in all simple machines!

Today we took a look at the three types of pulleys. The big question: Why do we use pulleys? 

Today we did our lever lab. For the lab, we used a meter stick as our lever. The fulcrum was the string that attached our lever to the ring stand and cup with pennies in them served as our load and effort. Our goal was to see the relationship between the effort arm and the load arm of the lever as we increase the weight of the load. In order for the input force to equal the output force (making the lever balanced) how does the location of the fulcrum change? The big question: How do levers make lifting objects easier?

Today in class, we will look at how simple machines make up the parts of machines we use. When two or more simple machines are combined, we call it a compound machine. Compound machines are everywhere! From cars to washing machines... it they didn't exist, our lives would be very different. We can see examples in farming equipment, construction, or around the house. However, compound machines are getting a make over! The future of compound machines are held in micro and nano technology. Without technological innovations, the device you're reading this on would be the size of our classroom! One day soon, scientists hope we can produce nano-scopic robots that are able to enter our bodies and fight unwanted disease.. and the best part, your generation are the scientists who will be leading the charge! The big question: How have machines changed the way which humans do work?

Today we watched a video on compound machines then took our second section Quiz on compound machines. After we worked on our study guides that are due 2/11

We know that power is the rate at which work is done. When a machine has more power, it does not mean that the machine has more force, What it means is that the machine has the ability to do the job faster. If Mrs. Smith and I were to race up the same set of steps. Mrs. Smith would reach the top before me. Mrs. Smith and I did the same amount of work, however, Mrs. Smith did the amount of work in a shorter period of time. This means that Mrs. Smith has more power than I do. We can see comparisons of power in car. The rating of horsepower is sometime we hear quite often. Cars with a greater horsepower can accelerate at quicker rates. The average car has a horsepower of around 150 hp. But have you ever wondered what the horsepower of a person is? In our horsepower lab, you will calculate your horsepower. Think you have more power than me? Only one way to find out!

It's review day! We took today to clear up any questions about the chapter. After, we played our review game.