Sign Up
Student Instructions
A bicycle is a complex machine made up of several simple machines.
Work with your partner to find the simple machines. Use the 
to show and discuss the simple machines.
1) screw
2) lever
3) pulley
4) wheel and axle
How does the bicycle make work easier?
Tap 
and add the video to both partners' journals.
Teacher Notes (not visible to students)
Bring bicycles to the classroom or go to the bicycle racks outside. It may help to print out the directions and questions for the students. -Screws hold the bike together. -The pedal arms (cranks) are levers attached to a large gear. Applying force on the pedal causes the gear to turn. This gear helps the chain move. The chain acts as a pulley attached to gears or cogs at the axle causing the hind wheel to turn. Moving the chain from a smaller rear cog to a larger one eases the pedaling effort. The load would be the combined weight of the cyclist and the bicycle. -Other levers are the handle bar, hand brake, and gear shifter. Bicycles help us travel faster as compared to walking.
