Web Quest: So Why Use Wheels and Axles?



For Grade 5 By

Dana Dawson

         

 

Introduction (Top)

The purpose of simple machines it to make work easier.  There are several types of simple machines.  The wheel and axle is one type of simple machines.

The wheel and axle was a simple machine that was very important to the pioneers, as they crossed the Oregon Trail.  How does this machine make-work easier?  Let’s explore!


Tasks (Top)

You will perform an experiment to determine – Which needs less force to be moved – a board lying flat or a board on rollers?

Resources (Top)  

Websites:

Examples of simple machines – wheels and axles
More examples of simple machines. 

Books:

The New Way Things Work by David McCauley

Reference Material:

Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99
Other encyclopedias and references


Process (Top)

1.  Explore the sources listed above.
2.  Describe in your notebook what a simple machine is. List the 5 types of 
simple machines.
3.  Draw a diagram of a wheel and axle machine.
4.  Write your prediction to “Which needs less force to be moved – a board lying flat or a board on rollers?”  Record your answer in a complete sentence in your notebook.
5.  Perform the following experiment. You will need a 2’x4” boards, string, 1 eyehook, your notebook, pencils, a spring balance. 
6.  Using Microsoft EXCEL, make the following spreadsheet: 

Experiment number

 Force Required Without pencils

Force Required With pencils

1

 

 

2

 

 

3

 

 

Average

 

 

          
          Step 1:    Attach an eyehook to one end of the board. 

Step 2:    Attach a 1-foot piece of string to the eye hook.

Step 3.    Attach the spring balance to one end of the string.

Step 4:    Attach another 1 foot piece of string to the other end of the balance.

Step 5:    Lay the board flat on a table surface.  Pull the board across the table and record how much force was required to pull the board.  Record this number in your notebook. 


            Step 6:    Place pencils under the board, between the table and the boards.

            Step 7:    Pull the board across the table, on the table and record how much force
            was required to pull the board.  Record this number in your notebook. 

Step 8:    Repeat this experiment three times, recording your gauge readings each time.

Step 9:    Calculate the average force required without the pencils.

Step 10:  Calculate t he average force require with the pencils.

Step 11:  Answer the questions:  Which needs less force to be moved – a board lying flat or a board on rollers?  What are the limitations of the pencils?  How could you correct this limitation?

6.         Write in your notebook the answer to the following question:  Why was it important for the pioneers to know about the wheel and axle simple machine?

 

Evaluation (Top)

15 pts for hypothesis
50 pts for data from 3 repetitions of the experiment
15 pts for experiment conclusion
20 pts for applying the results of this experiment to the Oregon Trail experience

 Conclusion (Top)

Simple machines do make work easier.  The wheel and axle simple machine was as integral aspect of the success of the pioneers in their trek along the Oregon Trail.