Students reason about trade-offs and compound simple machines. Part A has four multiple-choice questions about why a longer ramp requires less force, an example of two levers, and seesaw fulcrum positions. Part B has five fill-in-the-blank problems about a screwdriver as a wheel and axle, what a wedge is used for, and naming all six simple machines.
These problems challenge third graders to explain mechanical principles rather than just recall machine names.
Style:
Simple Machines
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Why does using a longer ramp require less force to move a heavy box?
A) The box becomes lighter on a longer ramp
B) The force is spread over a greater distance
C) Longer ramps have no friction
D) The box rolls faster on longer ramps
2. Which tool is an example of two levers working together?
A) A hammer
B) A pair of scissors
C) A screwdriver
D) A light bulb
3. A child sits far from the fulcrum on a seesaw. What happens?
A) The seesaw breaks apart
B) The child has more lifting force on the other side
C) The seesaw cannot move at all
D) The child weighs less than before
4. Which simple machine would best help raise a bucket of water from a well?
A) Wedge
B) Inclined plane
C) Screw
D) Pulley
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A screwdriver turns a screw by acting as a wheel and axle.
2. A wedge is a thick-to-thin shaped tool used to split or separate objects.
3. The six simple machines are the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge, and screw.
4. Construction workers use pulleys to lift heavy steel beams to the top of buildings.
5. A bolt holds things together using spiral threads cut into its surface.
Simple Machines
★ Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Why does using a longer ramp require less force to move a heavy box?
A) The box becomes lighter on a longer ramp
B) The force is spread over a greater distance
C) Longer ramps have no friction
D) The box rolls faster on longer ramps
2. Which tool is an example of two levers working together?
A) A hammer
B) A pair of scissors
C) A screwdriver
D) A light bulb
3. A child sits far from the fulcrum on a seesaw. What happens?
A) The seesaw breaks apart
B) The child has more lifting force on the other side
C) The seesaw cannot move at all
D) The child weighs less than before
4. Which simple machine would best help raise a bucket of water from a well?
A) Wedge
B) Inclined plane
C) Screw
D) Pulley
★ Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1) A screwdriver turns a screw by acting as a wheel and axle.
2) A wedge is a thick-to-thin shaped tool used to split or separate objects.
3) The six simple machines are the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge, and screw.
4) Construction workers use pulleys to lift heavy steel beams to the top of buildings.
5) A bolt holds things together using spiral threads cut into its surface.
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9 Questions
12-18 minutes
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