Browse Activities
The Ramp Mechanical Advantage and Efficiency
- The Ramp PHET Activity.doc - 89 kB
| Title | The Ramp Mechanical Advantage and Efficiency |
| Description | This is a lab on calculating Ideal and Actual Mechanical Advantage of an inclined plane. It also asks students to calculate the efficiency of the ramp system. |
| Subject | Physics |
| Level | Middle School |
| Type | Lab |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Answers Included | No |
| Language | English |
| Keywords | Efficiency, Mechanical Advantage, Physical Science, Physics, Simple Machines, Work |
| Simulation(s) | The Ramp |
| Author(s) | Tim Perry |
| Contact Email | tperry@sterlingmontessori.org |
| School / Organization | Sterling Montessori |
| Date submitted | 11/1/13 |
| Date updated | 11/1/13 |
Comments
I really like some things like the idea that students can pick their own objects. There a many steps in the directions however, so I am concerned that students might get distracted by all the details and miss some of the enjoyment of learning how to use the sim. I really like the questions that ask the students to make sense of their experiences.
Trish
11/4/13
I found the calculation for Output Force to be problematic as explained in this lab. The output force is not the difference between applied force and friction but rather the weight of the object being lifted. Following the lab directions gave misleading information.
Paul
12/4/14
