Wheel & AxleSimple Machines

A STEM-Maker Level 1 Lesson for System Fluency

Education Standards

Curriculum

Turn Any Space Into a STEM Lab

Standards for Technological Literacy

2.K-2 2.3-5 2.6-8 2.9-12 8.K-2 8.3-5 8.6-8 8.9-12 9.K-2 9.3-5 9.6-8 9.9-1210.K-2 10.3-5 10.6-8 10.9-12

Next Generation Science Standards

3-5-ETS1-1 MS-ETS1-1 HS-ETS1-13-5-ETS1-2 MS-ETS1-2 HS-ETS1-23-5-ETS1-3 MS-ETS1-3 HS-ETS1-3 MS-ETS1-4 HS-ETS1-4

Common Core Standards

W.5.7 RST.6-8.1 WHST.6-8.9W.5.9 RST.6-8.7 RST.11-12.7MP.2 RST.11-12.8 RST.11-12.9 MP.4 MP.5 SL.8.5

STEM-Maker

Educational ObjectivesAfter this lesson, students should be able to understand and apply the following concepts:

Basic elements of wheel and axle

Measure radius, diameter, and circumference of a circle

Calculate mechanical advantage

Construct a model of a wheel and axle

Conduct an authentic assessment of mathematical predictions and calculations

Intrinsic value of wheel and axle and the ability to transfer that knowledge to future applications and solutions

Table of Contents

Introduction Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 Key Terms .............................................................................................................................. 1 Additional Resources .............................................................................................................. 1 Building Basics with Rokenbok ................................................................................................. 2

Technology and Engineering Building a Wheel and Axle ........................................................................................................ 3-4

Science Concepts What is a Wheel and Axle? ....................................................................................................... 5 Wheel and Axle Examples ........................................................................................................ 5

Math Concepts Calculating Mechanical Advantage ........................................................................................... 6

STEM Challenges Building with Wheel and Axle ....................................................................................................... 7

Assessment What Have We Learned? ......................................................................................................... 8

Level 1 Simple Machines: The Wheel & Axle

WelcomeFrom basic STEM literacies to 3D solid modeling, Rokenbok STEM-MAKER curriculum was created to help you teach technology, engineering, and design in almost any setting. Rokenbok’s STEM-Maker Curriculum guides fun and engaging hands-on project based challenges, and models the progression of fluencies mastered by real designers and engineers. Lesson plans are categorized in three progressive levels for grades 3-12 and align with NGSS and common core state standards. Progression through these levels builds confidence, a sense of accomplishment setting the groundwork for a love of learning, creating, and making.

Step-by-step, single-solution projects introduce Rokenbok

materials and how thesystem works.

System Fluency Creative Fluency Engineering FluencyRealistic design briefs

challenge the student tosolve a problem based on the

skills learned in Level 1. Students add their own design creativity to solve a problem using the

Rokenbok system.

A more advanced design brief challenges students to design

and build custom parts to complete a project. Students

use the 3D Virtual Parts Library and 3D solid modeling software to adapt and create

their own partsand tools.

IntroductionIntroductionThis Level 1 project is designed to introduce your students to one of the six simple machines, the wheel and axle. Students will learn how wheels and axles work by making their own wheel and axle system, applying the mathematics behind a wheel and axle, as well as learning key terms related to the subject matter.

Key TermsSimple Machine: A device that transmits or modifies force or motion.

Effort: Force used to move an object over a distance.

Resistance/Mass: Force to overcome, object to be moved, otherwise known as load.

Diameter: A straight line passing from side to side through the center of a circle.Circumference: The enclosing boundary of a curved geometric figure, especially a circle.

Mechanical Advantage: The advantage gained by the use of a mechanism in transmitting force

Additional Resourceshttp://iqa.evergreenps.org/science/phy_science/ma.htmlhttp://science.howstuffworks.com/wheel-and-axle-info.htmhttp://www.mikids.com/SMachinesWheels.htm

1

2

Building Basics with RokenbokYou will be using the Rokenbok Education ROK Ed Rover or SnapStack Module for this project.

Snapping:Rokenbok building components snap together for a snug fit. It is easier to snap pieces together by angling the beam into the block.

Bracing:Use braces to strengthen any Rokenbok build. Girders, 2-way braces, 3-way braces, and corbels are all commonly used for this purpose.

Disassemble:Always use the Rokenbok key tool when taking apart pieces. Insert the tab on the key into the engineered slot on each piece and twist slightly. This will protect your fingers and minimize broken pieces.

Take Inventory:It is recommended to take inventory of all components at the end of each build and a complete check at the end of the school year. Replacement pieces can be found online at Rokenbok.com/Education.

Component Care:All building components should be cleaned regularly with a mild detergentand water.

Snapping

Bracing

Disassemble

3

Technology & EngineeringBuilding a Wheel & AxleFollow the step-by-step instructions to build a wheel and axle assembly.

2

Bill of Materials Makes one wheel and axle assembly.

1 Build the Wheel and Spoke Assembly

Build the Axle Assembly

7x 2x

2x 4x

4x

3 Final Wheel and Axle Assembly

Technology & Engineering

4

Science Concepts

5

What is a Wheel and Axle?Heavy loads are hard to move by simply pushing or pulling on them because there are forces that must be overcome in order for them to move.

One force is gravity, which is the attraction between the earth and other objects. This attraction causes the second force known as friction, which means that the resistance of the object, as it comes in contact with a surface, must be overcome before it will move.

The wheel and axle can be used to help move heavy objects because the surface area of the wheel is less than the surface area of the load and this makes it easier to overcome the forces of gravity and friction.

Wheel and Axle ExamplesHere are a few of the examples of how the wheel and axle is used in common applications.

Surface Area

Gears

Car Wheel

Steering Wheel

Bicycle Wheel

Wheel Barrow

Friction(resistance)

Gravity (resistance)

Load

Friction(resistance)

Gravity (resistance)

Surface Area

LoadWheel and Axle

Effort

Effort

Chariot Wheel

Math Concepts

6

Calculating Attributes of the Wheel and AxleThe benefit of the wheel and axle is based on a scientific concept called mechanical advantage. By using a simple machine, we can make hard work easier and this makes it possible to build things that we don’t have the power to do with just our hands and muscles. Complex machines, like forklifts and cranes, are many simple machines working together to accomplish a task that would not be possible without the mechanical advantage that they provide.

Formula: DiameterThe distance from one edge of a wheel to the opposite edge through the center is called the diameter.

Formula: RadiusThe diameter is twice the distance of the radius.

Formula: CircumferenceThe distance around the outside edge of the wheel is called circumference. To determine the circumference of a wheel, we use the following mathematical formula: x=2πr.

The term pi is a mathematical constant that represents the ratio of a circles circumference to its diameter which is approximately 3.14. The symbol for pi is π.

So to figure the circumference of our circle, we would use the following formula: c = 2 x 3.14 (pi) x 3.5 (radius) which means that the circumference of our wheel is 21.98”

The diameter can also be used to determine the circumference of our wheel. This formula is: c = πd.

Using this formula, we see that the circumference is the same as when the radius formula was used.

c = 3.14 (pi) x 7 (diameter) which means that the circumference of our wheel is still 21.98”.

Formula: Mechanical AdvantageWe can use mathematical formulas and measurements to help determine the mechanical advantage of a machine, including the wheel and axle. Use the formula and given measurements shown to find the mechanical advantage of your wheel and axle.

Radius of Wheelequals 3.5”

Radius of Axleequals .375”

Circumference

Radius of Wheelequals 3.5”

Diameter of Wheelequals 7”

Mechanical AdvantageMA = r(wheel)/r(axle)

Diameter - the distance from one side of a circle to the other through the center

Radius - the distance from the center of a circle to the edge of the circle

Circumference - the distance around the outside edge of a circle

Circumferencec = 2πr or c = πd

STEM ChallengesWhat Can You Design?These STEM Design and Engineering Challenges are designed to introduce you to the wheel and axle and how it can be used to make work easier for many different tasks. Try out one of the STEM Design and Engineering Challenges below or design your own project using the wheel and axle.

Building a Measuring WheelThis STEM Challenge is designed to use the wheel and axle that you have built and turn it into a cool measurement tool.

Another application of the wheel and axle simple machine is for measurement over larger distances.

Use additional Rokenbok building components to add an extension arm onto your wheel and axle as shown. Attach a corbel onto your wheel edge and use that as a marker for measuring distance.

Since you know the circumference of your wheel, you should be able to use your measuring wheel to measure the distance around your classroom or down your hallway.

7

Other Uses for the Wheel and Axle The wheel and axle is a very useful simple machine. Not only can the mechanical advantage of a wheel and axle be useful in moving heavy loads, it can also be used in many other ways. Some of these include:

Transfer of motion from one direction to another direction

Intermittent motion

Gears, sprockets, and cranks

Gears

Assessment

850-00988-001

What Have We Learned?1. The force used to move an object over a distance is known as what? a. load b. resistance c. effort d. gravity

2. The wheel and axle can be used to help move heavy objects because the __________ of the wheel is less than the __________ of the load and this makes it easier to overcome the forces of gravity and friction. a. weight b. surface area c. circumference d. radius

3. Use the information below to determine the mechnical advantage of the wheel and axle. a. MA = 2 b. MA = 4 c. MA = 8 d. MA = 20

4. Which of the following examples is not a wheel and axle? a. pulley b. wedge c. gear train d. crank shaft

5. What is the circumference of this circle? a. MA = 12.56” b. MA = 16.42” c. MA = 8” d. MA = 24.72”

Radius of Wheelequals 4”

Radius of Axleequals .5”

MA = ______

Mechanical AdvantageMA = r(wheel)/r(axle)

Circumference

Radius of Wheelequals 2”

Diameter of Wheelequals 4”

Circumferencec = 2πr or c = πd

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