Pulley Week; January 29

Pulley Week-
Knowing we were short a few days this week, we worked hard to focus our attention on this week's question:  What are pulleys? and How do they give us Mechanical Advantage?

Simple Pulley

Movable Pulley

We assembled a fixed pulley, learned how it makes work easier; we are able to lift the load by pulling toward our core (easier with our body's skeletal and muscular build).


We assembled a movable pulley, and using a fish scale, learned that although we no longer lift by pulling toward our tummy, this assembly actually decreases the necessary force by half!

Block and Tackle

Checking out the fish scale's reading on the fixed pulley

This culminated in combining the two. . . into a block and tackle assembly.  Now, we get the mechanical advantage of both- pulling towards our tummy, and needing only half the force of the load.  Check out your child's kidblog post where they were to describe their findings.



Next week - drive systems!  If you have drinking containers with the small plastic lids, would you mind collecting them and sending them in?  Thank you!

*all images from Wikipedia Pulleys