DESCRIPTION: Students will compete in lab activities in the area of compound simple machines. A TEAM OF UP TO: 2
THE COMPETITION:
APPROXIMATE TIME: 45 minutes
The competition will consist of experimental tasks and questions related to compound simple
machines. Students may bring and use any type calculator. All answers will need to be provided
in SI units (Watts, Joule, Newtons, Kilograms, Meters, and Seconds) with proper significant
figures. The competition will consist of experimental tasks and questions related to simple
machines.
Simple machines are devices that multiply, divide, and/or change the direction of force Simple
machines are described in terms of three variables: efficiency (e = work out of machine -
energy or work into the machine). Actual Mechanical Advantage (AMA = force output of
machine - force input to machine) and Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA = distance moved
by input force in the direction of the input force - distance moved by output force in the
direction of the output force).
A compound simple machine is a machine consisting of two or more simple machines
connected in series. SCORING:
Points will be awarded for correct problem set-up, answers and/or proper technique. Supervisors are
encouraged to provide a standardized form on which students can show all measurements and
calculations. Ties will be broken using a designated task or question(s). The event supervisor will
identity the tiebreaker question(s) or task(s) on the answer form provided to the students at the
beginning of the competition period.
2002-CC37
