Simple Machine Virtual Lab #5- Inclined Plane

A few years ago, I put together some great hands-on simple machine labs that allowed students to construct simple machines and test their performance using some Vernier digital force sensors. I ran into a problem when students were absent and needed to make up the labs, so I created these virtual labs, in which I perform all the tests on video and ask the students to interpret the results and make observations as they work their way through the Google Forms.

When the world drove us to completely virtual instruction, these labs were ready to go! Each lab is chock full of videos and animations that describe each simple machine and what it is used for. Students can demonstrate their understanding of simple machines by watching each test and carefully thinking about what they are seeing. Most questions self-score, with a few short answer questions that require teacher scoring. This lab on the inclined plane will show students how mechanical advantage changes when the pitch of the inclined plane changes. They will see a bunch of real-life examples of each, and verify this concept with the tests they observe on the screen.

Perfect for middle school or early high school learners.

*Note about videos: Videos in Google Forms will just look like still images until you either view the form in "preview mode" (little eyeball icon, top right of form) or assign the form to students. In "edit mode" the videos just look like still photos.