SIMPLE CIRCUS QUESTIONS

Answer the questions in complete sentences and for all math problems show all work and include units of measurement.

Station One-Levers
  1. In order for work to be done, what has to happen?
  2. Calculate the work done on the effort side of each lever.
  3. Calculate the work done on the resistance side of each lever:
  4. Calculate the Mechanical Advantage of each lever.
  5. If you are on the side of the lever that uses less force, are you doing less work?
  6. Which class of lever were you using at this station?

Station Two- Pulleys

  1. Draw the set-up of the pulley that required less effort force to get the object to lift up off the table. Label the resistance and the effort forces.
  2. Why did this pulley set-up require less effort force to get the object to lift off the table?
  3. What is the "shortcut method" (easy) for figuring out the MA of a block and tackle? By this method, what should be the MA of the block and tackle you used at this station?
  4. Now, calculate the MA of the block and tackle you set up by using the equation of MA=Force without machine divided by force with machine. How does your answer compare with the one you got for the last question.

Station Three—The inclined plane
  1. Describe the set-up of the ramp that required you to use the most force to move the cart.
  2. If you had a heavy motorcycle and could not push it up a ramp onto a truck, what would you do to the ramp to make your job easier?
  1. Which type of ramp below has the highest mechanical advantage? WHY?

Both of the above ramps require you to do the same amount of work….How can that be possible?

 

 

Station Four—Screws and wedges

  1. Describe the screw that needed less force to get it to turn.
  2. Describe the screw that moves into the board quicker when you turn it.
  3. Why does one screw go into the board quicker?
  4. Use a diagram and an explanation to show how a screw is a special kind of inclined plane.
  5. How is a wedge similar to an inclined plane?
  6. If you used a power drill set at the same speed, which screw would go into the board faster? Explain why.

Station Five—Wheel and axle

  1. When you are using a lever, which one has more mechanical advantage: The lever that is long or the lever that is short?
  2. How does the size of the wheel affect the mechanical advantage of a wheel and axle?
  3. How are your answers to 1 and 2 similar?
  4. Calculate the MA for each W&A given the axle has a radius of .2 cm