Simple Machines - Pulley

Proving a Hyphothesis

We learned about another simple machine - Pulley. We watched a video about how a pulley works and found out the various uses of pulleys.

When we were in the playground, the children noticed that there is a pulley at the top of the flag pole. We also found two types of pulleys in the classroom. One is a clothesline that we use for the children's work and another is the pull on the blinds.

After learning about the theory, it was time to test out what we know.

The children knew that a single fixed pulley does not make the work less as an equal amount of force is needed to lift the load.

10kg load = 10kg of force

However, a single movable pulley will make it easier to lift the load as only half the force is needed.

10kg load = 5kg of force

The children were given loads (stones), ropes and pulleys to work with. They found different ways to rig their pulleys. They were also able to set up a movable pulley and confirmed the hyphothesis that a movable pulley does indeed require less force to get work done.