Simple machines make our lives easier. They make it easier to lift, move and build things. Chances are that you use simple machines more than you think. If you have ever screwed in a light bulb, put the lid on a jam jar, put keys on a keychain, pierced food with a fork, walked up a ramp, or propped open a door, you've made good use of simple machines. A block and tackle setup is also a simple machine.
Block and tackle refers to pulleys and rope (in that order). One kid can drag ten adults across the room with this simple setup – we've done this class lots of times with kids and parents, and it really works! Be careful with this experiment - you'll want to keep your fingers away from the rope and don't pull too hard (kids really get carried away with this one!)
If you haven't already, make sure you try out the broomstick version of this activity first.
[am4show have='p8;p9;p11;p38;p92;p14;p41;p88;' guest_error='Guest error message' user_error='User error message' ] Materials:
Make another circle of rope and add three more pulleys onto it. Loop the rope over the handle of a mop or broom. Thread the rest of the nylon rope through zigzag fashion first through one pulley on the fence, then through a pulley on the mop, then to an open pulley back on the fence, then another free pulley on the mop, etc… Knot the end of the rope to the mop. You should have one free end of rope left.
Attach a kid to the free end of the rope by adding a handle. You can thread a rope through a 6" piece of PVC pipe and tie the rope back on itself. Attach adults to the mop, holding it straight out in front of their chest. The adults' job is to resist the pull they will feel as the kid pulls with his end of the rope.
Download Student Worksheet [/am4show]
Block and tackle refers to pulleys and rope (in that order). One kid can drag ten adults across the room with this simple setup – we've done this class lots of times with kids and parents, and it really works! Be careful with this experiment - you'll want to keep your fingers away from the rope and don't pull too hard (kids really get carried away with this one!)
If you haven't already, make sure you try out the broomstick version of this activity first.
[am4show have='p8;p9;p11;p38;p92;p14;p41;p88;' guest_error='Guest error message' user_error='User error message' ] Materials:
- Rope
- pulleys
- chain link fence (or a broom)
- three people
Make another circle of rope and add three more pulleys onto it. Loop the rope over the handle of a mop or broom. Thread the rest of the nylon rope through zigzag fashion first through one pulley on the fence, then through a pulley on the mop, then to an open pulley back on the fence, then another free pulley on the mop, etc… Knot the end of the rope to the mop. You should have one free end of rope left.
Attach a kid to the free end of the rope by adding a handle. You can thread a rope through a 6" piece of PVC pipe and tie the rope back on itself. Attach adults to the mop, holding it straight out in front of their chest. The adults' job is to resist the pull they will feel as the kid pulls with his end of the rope.
Download Student Worksheet [/am4show]