Inclined Planes

Today we did 4 different experiments to help us better understand inclined planes and what they do.
1) Walk Up - Students walked up ramps with varying steepness to see how a steeper incline requires more effort. Students also saw that less work, required a greater distance.
2) Book Lift - Students lifted a book to feel the effort it takes to raise it. They then pulled it up an inclined plane to feel how the ramp decreased the amount of effort it takes to raise the book.
3) Ramp Up - Students pulled a book up ramps of varying steepness to feel that the increase in ramp steepness translated into increased effort.
4) Hill Racer - Students raced spools down ramps of varying steepness to see how far their "racer" would travel.
Inclined planes are simple and fun to make at home - they're ramps! Encourage the scientist or inventor in your house to experiment with inclined planes.