HOW PEOPLE MOVE THINGS
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY
NORMAL, IL 61761
JOETTA MONICAL AND ANDREW PALMORE
 
wheelba.gif (4138 bytes)pulley.gif (4080 bytes)
 
 
 
People move things with the help of simple machines.  There are several types of simple machines:  the lever, the pulley, and the wheel,  are just a few.  The lever activity will help demonstrate how people move things up.
 
The lever activity:  

    Place a straight board (D) across a fulcrum (A).  Place a weight(C), such as books, on one end of the board.  Then move the fulcrum to different positions to see how the weight becomes easier or harder to lift.
Examples of levers:
            
 
 
 

 
LINKS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bill Nye Episode Guide: SIMPLE MACHINES
 
 
Simple Machines
 
 
InventorsToolbox: The Elements of Machines
 
  
 
Further Research For Teachers:
J and J Simple Machines