STEM Model Wooden Lever System

Activity Kit for Kids

Give me a place to stand, and I will move the world, said Archimedes 2000 years ago. The Greek mathematician, scientist, and inventor were discussing the principle of the lever.

With this model, you may not be able to move the Earth but you can surely understand the underlying ratios of force, load, and distance using this simple machine.

Construction DIY Based Activity Kit

Here It Is:

The Greek mathematician, scientist, and inventor were discussing the principle of the lever. With this model, you may not be able to move the Earth but you can surely understand the underlying ratios of force, load, and distance using this simple machine.

WHAT TO DO?

1. Place a unit weight at 5cm mark. 2. Now balance this weight by placing a different weight on the other side. 3. To balance weights of different amounts on both sides, how should we place them? Should the heavier load be closer to the fulcrum or the lighter load? How much? Explore all this using the model. WHAT’S GOING ON? 1. A lever amplifies an input force to provide a greater output force. 2. The ratio of the output force to the input force is called the mechanical advantage of the lever. 3. The effort arm is equal to the distance from the fulcrum to the point of applied effort, and the load arm is equal to the distance from the fulcrum to the load weight (which is to be lifted). 4. Effort (force applied by you) multiplied by the length of the effort arm is equal to the load multiplied by the length of the load arm. 5. This means that the longer the effort end, the less the force required to raise the load. 6. Therefore, if you are trying to lift a particularly heavy stone, it is best to use a longer stick. EXPLORE 1. If two children are playing on a seesaw, and their weights are different, should the heavier child sit near the fulcrum or away from it, to balance the seesaw? 2. Take a pipe and hang a bag on it. Now lift the bag by holding the pipe close to the bag. Guess the weight of the bag. Now try lifting the same bag by gradually moving the hand away from the bag. Does the bag feel heavier? Why? The weight of the bag has surely not changed. So why do you need to apply a larger force to lift the same bag?