Page 130E: Motion, Forces, and Simple Machines
Inventor’s Toolbox: The Elements of Machines
Visit this site by the Museum of Science, Boston to learn more about simple machines. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on gadget anatomy to see how simple machines are used together to create different kinds of tools.
Simple Machines
At this site you can see examples of the six simple machines: the pulley, lever, wedge, wheel and axle, inclined plane, and screw. Scroll down and click on levers to see how levers are used for everyday activities.
Simple Machines, Work, Force, Energy, and Newton’s
Three Laws of Motion
Go to this site to learn all about the six simple machines, the history of simple machines, and the definitions of work and force. Scroll down to the wedge. What other simple machine is the wedge similar to?
Isaac Newton
At this site you can read a biography of Sir Isaac Newton. Newton’s major discoveries occurred during a two-year period after he had graduated from college in 1644. l
Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
Visit this site to read Newton’s three laws of motion. Continue to explore this site by clicking on the next arrow at the bottom of the page. Read about Sir Isaac Newton and the universal law of gravitation. Find out how Newton’s thoughts on gravity explain the Moon’s orbit around Earth.
The Physics Classroom: Newton’s Laws of Motion
Go to this site to learn more about Newton’s laws of motion. Scroll down and click on Newton’s first law. Use Newton’s first law to explain the following to your students: A person is a passenger riding in a car. The person is not wearing a seat belt. The car suddenly stops. What happens to the passenger? Why?
Newton’s Laws of Motion
At this National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) site you can find out how Newton’s laws of motion apply to airplanes and space vehicles alike.
Page 156: Fastest Animals and Vehicles
Top 5 Fastest Animals
Visit this site for a list of the five fastest land animals and their top running speeds. Ask students to identify which prey animal is almost as fast as a cheetah.
Extreme Science: Site Index of World Records
Go to this site to find out more about the fastest animals on land, in the air, and in the seas. Click on each animal to learn more about it and find out why it needs to be so fast.
Fastest Land Animals
At this site you will find a chart listing the fastest land animals and their top running speeds. Ask students to answer the following questions: How many of those listed are prey animals? How many of those listed are predators? Do the numbers of prey animals and predators help you understand how fast speeds might benefit either type of animal?
Olympic Swimming Records
Go to this site to see the Olympic Swimming records for both men and women up to the year 1996.
Swimming World Records
At this site you can see the Olympic swimming records for both men and women through the Sydney 2000 Olympics. New world records set in the Sydney Olympics are highlighted in yellow.m
Magnetic Levitation Vehicles
At this site you can find out what kinds of mag lev trains are already in operation. This site includes an activity in which you can design, build, and test a mag lev transportation system.
NOVA Online: Supersonic Spies: Speed
Go to this site to read about the speed of the supersonic transport, the Concorde. Find out here how fast the Concorde flies. Ask students how this speed compares to the speed of sound.
