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imagine this: you're out on an adventure with your best friend, and you're craving a delicious piece of cheese. but how do you keep it cool and ready to eat when you return home? jessi and squeaks, the dynamic duo from scishow kids, have the perfect solution! they've created a cheese-serving machine using simple machines and a touch of rube goldberg inspiration. let's dive into the world of levers, pulleys, and inventions that make our lives easier and more fun!
the cheese-serving machine: a simple machines showcase
jessi and squeaks' cheese-serving machine is a clever contraption that uses two simple machines: a lever and a pulley. these machines help us get things done by making our work a little easier. let's see how they work together to serve up some cool, tasty cheese!
lever: the cheese flipper
the lever in the cheese-serving machine is a board balanced on top of a water bottle, acting as the fulcrum. when the ice melts and the string comes loose, the lever is activated. the end of the lever with the sharp pencil flips the cheese onto the table, ready for you to enjoy. levers are everywhere, from see-saws to scissors, and they help us lift heavy objects or apply force over a distance.
pulley: the water release
the pulley system in the cheese-serving machine is responsible for releasing the water from the melted ice. as the ice melts, the water collects in a container. when the string is released, the weight of the water pulls down on the pulley, activating the lever. pulleys are used to change the direction of force or to multiply force, making it easier to lift heavy objects.
the inspiration: rube goldberg machines
rube goldberg was a cartoonist who created complex machines to perform simple tasks in a series of chain reactions. jessi and squeaks took inspiration from rube goldberg's machines to create their cheese-serving invention. these machines are a fun way to learn about simple machines and how they can be combined to create more complex systems.
simple machines: the building blocks of inventions
simple machines, like levers and pulleys, are the building blocks of more complex inventions. they help us overcome resistance and make work easier by changing the direction or magnitude of force. by combining simple machines, we can create intricate systems that perform a variety of tasks.
lever: the force multiplier
a lever is a long, straight object balanced on a fulcrum. it helps us lift heavy objects or apply force over a distance. levers come in three classes, depending on the position of the fulcrum, effort, and load. the lever in jessi and squeaks' cheese-serving machine is a first-class lever, with the fulcrum in the middle.
pulley: the direction changer
a pulley is a wheel with a groove around its edge that holds a rope or cable. pulleys are used to change the direction of force or to multiply force, making it easier to lift heavy objects. in the cheese-serving machine, the pulley system releases the water from the melted ice, activating the lever.
conclusion
jessi and squeaks' cheese-serving machine is a fun and educational introduction to simple machines. by using a lever and pulley, they've created a contraption that keeps their cheese cool and ready to eat when they return from their adventures. simple machines are the building blocks of inventions, and by combining them, we can create complex systems that make our lives easier and more enjoyable. so, the next time you're out on an adventure, think about how simple machines can help you along the way!
additional resources
- amazing machines: how they work and improve our lives
- simple machines for kids: exploring the basics
- force, work, and energy for kids: a simple explanation
references
- livescience: simple machines
- hyperphysics: simple machines
- wonderopolis: what is a rube goldberg machine?
- rube goldberg lesson plans
- simple machines lesson plan
- intro lesson to simple machines for middle school students
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