Thames & Kosmos Simple Machines handleiding

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Handleiding

Measuring forces

with the spring scale

Water Bottle Weight

In many of the experiments, you will

need a weight to see how the simple

machine is working. A 150-ml bottle is

included. When filled with water, it acts

as a weight — also called a load.

In order to be able to experiment with simple

machines and see what they are doing, we need

a way to measure forces. To do this, we will use

a spring scale, which is a simple tool that uses a

metal spring to measure forces. The spring scale

in this kit is specially designed to connect to the

building system used in this kit (and other Thames

& Kosmos kits).

The theory behind the way a spring scale

works is that the amount of force it takes to stretch

the spring is proportional to the distance the force

stretches the spring. In other words, a large force

will stretch the spring a lot and a small force will

stretch the spring only a little. By measuring the

distance a spring is stretched, we can approximate

the force being exerted on the spring.

Test the Spring Scale

This spring scale measures forces in grams and

Newtons, which is the standard unit of force in

physics. Try weighing some objects from around

your house to get a feel for how the spring scale

works.

Do not hold the spring scale

by the blue collar when

taking measurements.

Do not measure weights of

more than 800 grams.

WORK

The amount of work you accomplish can be

calculated as follows:

work [J] = force [N] • distance [m]

In the example with the bottle, let’s take

gravity as the force, and the distance is the

difference in height when you lift the bottle.

work performed on the bottle [J] =

mass [N] • local gravity [N/kg] • difference

in height [m]

MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE

A machine makes work easier by

multiplying the effort force applied to the

machine. This multiplication factor is called

the mechanical advantage (MA) of the

machine. It is calculated as follows:

MA = load force / effort force

Divide the load force (also called the

resistance force) by effort force to calculate

the mechanical advantage. You can

measure the forces with the spring scale.

Aﬃx the

stickers to

both sides.

When affixing

the stickers,

align the zero

(0) marks.

Rotate the blue collar

to align the zero (0) on

the scale to the force

indicator disk at the top

of the inner rod.

Done!

An old-fashioned

spring scale

Attach the hook.

Bekijk gratis de handleiding van Thames & Kosmos Simple Machines, stel vragen en lees de antwoorden op veelvoorkomende problemen, of gebruik onze assistent om sneller informatie in de handleiding te vinden of uitleg te krijgen over specifieke functies.