The Wheel and Axle, they go together like?

   You can use a wheel and axle to lift heavy weights with only putting forth a little effort on your part.

Let's Build Our Very Own Wheel and Axle

Using the website below, we are going to build our own wheel and axle using everyday objects from within our home and classroom.

http://www.education.com/activity/article/Wheel_And_Axle/

 (The directions are also organized into the Scientific Method Format for you below as well.)

Let's get started!

Purpose: 

How does the wheel and axle make it easier to lift a heavy load?

Materials: 

               broom handle

           masking tape

           pail with a handle

           marbles

           ruler

           2 chairs

           scissors

Procedure: 

               1. Place your chairs, back to back, about 1 foot apart with your broom handle resting across the chairs.

           2. Tie 1 foot of string to the pail handle and tie the free end of the string to the center of the broom handle.

           3. Put marbles inside of the pail to make it heavier.

           4. Using your hand, turn the broom handle to lift the pail into the air and then turn the handle the opposite direction to lower the pail toward the ground again. 

           5. Tape your ruler vertically to one end of your broom handle.

           6. Use the ruler, which is now acting like a wheel, to turn the broom handle and raise the pail into the air. 

Observations:

           What part of our experiment acted as the wheel which part acted as the axle?

           What was the difference between the effort you had to put forth when the size of the wheel changed? 

           Which wheel required less effort, from you to raise the pail, your hand or the ruler? 

           Was there any difference in the weight of the pail when you used your hand to turn the axle and then when you used the ruler to turn the axle?

Conclusion:

            Does a wheel and axle make it easier to lift a heavy load, if so how? 

Discussion:

What are some other examples of a wheel and axle and how does it make lifting a heavy load easier?

Source:  

          http://www.education.com/activity/article/Wheel_And_Axle/