Simple Machines & Pythagorean Theorem

Today in Science, students continued to work on their 'Simple Machines Rube-Goldberg Design' (task outline here), students should aim to have their rough copy completed before class tomorrow so that they can begin completing the final copy of this task during tomorrow's class.

Key information for this task:

1. Decide on a simple task that your Rube Goldberg device is to perform

2. Decide on something that will trigger the first machine.

3. In pencil, draw your Rube Goldberg device using simple machines (levers, pulleys, wheel and axels, ramps, etc…) and systems that transfer force (gears, belt systems, chain systems).  Your Rube Goldberg device should be drawn big enough to cover most of the paper.

• You can add some complex machines if you wish (toasters, kettles, etc…) but make sure to have lots of simple machines as well. Use a wide variety of simple machines.
• Use real objects (example: instead of just labeling something as a “lever”, label it as “ruler acting as a lever with a baseball acting as the fulcrum.”)
• Try to use unique objects in your Rube Goldberg device (you can use 1 animal if you wish)
• You must have at least 15 steps (15 machines)

4. Label the steps to your Rube-Goldberg device on the paper and complete a typed write-up on what each machine is and how each machine is triggering the next machine

5. Draw the final copy of your Rube Goldberg device on to a large piece of paper (teacher provided). Your drawing should be clearly labeled and neat (use a ruler if drawing lines). Also, color would make your drawing more appealing.

In math, we worked to solve the following pythagorean stack using the pythagorean theorem:  a²+b²=c². Remember to always label the hypotenuse of your triangle as "c". If you were unable to solve for the final side of the stack (labeled x in the image) in class, please finish this tonight. Hint: Your final answer should be a whole number that falls between 12 and 17.