Objectives
- Students will describe a lever and fulcrum.
- Students will define force vectors and torque.
- Students will solve proportions for balancing different weights on a teeter-totter balance.
Vocabulary
- acceleration
- mass
- force
- Newton
- fulcrum
- simple machine
- gravity
- torque
- lever
About the Lesson
Adapted from a PhETTM simulation, this lesson is a simulation of a teeter-totter where people and objects of different masses are placed at either end to test for balance. This provides and opportunity to explore a lever and fulcrum simple machine, as well as to measure torque
As a result students will:
- Describe a lever and fulcrum
- Define weight as a force, as well as the unit of measurements for force.
- Measure torque and solve equations involving torque.
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