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Pulley Lift Challenge

Lift a load with a fixed pulley and a moving pulley and measure how much easier each one makes the job.

Grade 3ExperimentBuildScienceEngineeringMachinesPhysicsMeasurementIntermediate40 to 60 min6 materialsAdult supervision required

What you'll learn

  • Explain how a fixed pulley changes the direction of a pull
  • Measure force with a spring scale or rubber band
  • Show that a movable pulley lowers the pull but increases the length of rope pulled

Objective

Compare lifting a load directly, with a fixed pulley, and with a movable pulley by measuring the pull needed.

STEM concepts

Simple machinesPulleysForceMechanical advantage
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Step-by-step instructions
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Why does it work, challenge and project report

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