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Year 4

Parallel and push-pull linkages

I can make parallel and push-pull linkages.

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New
New
Year 4

Parallel and push-pull linkages

I can make parallel and push-pull linkages.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A parallel linkage contains fixed pivots and allow movement back and forth and side to side.
  2. A push-pull linkage allows the input and output levers to move in the same direction.

Keywords

  • Parallel linkage - a linkage that creates movement in the same direction using two pairs of levers

  • Input - something that goes into a system

  • Output - something that comes out of a system

  • Push-pull linkage - a linkage that uses short levers to push and pull three other levers in the same direction

Common misconception

Push-pull and parallel linkages are made of more than one lever.

Levers can be joined together to form a linkage. A parallel and push-pull linkage is made up of multiple levers.


To help you plan your year 4 design and technology lesson on: Parallel and push-pull linkages, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Print the linkage worksheet straight onto card if possible. The linkages can work using paper but are more effective using card. Save card by using cereal boxes (that had not contained nuts) as a back drop. This is a prototype for the children and a cereal box is perfect for this task
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equipment-required

Equipment

Please see the additional materials for the equipment and resources

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Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
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Supervision

Adult supervision required

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is another word for a fulcrum?
fixed pivot
loose pivot
Correct answer: pivot point
centre point
Q2.
Which of the following describes a lever?
a rigid bar that does not turn
Correct answer: a rigid bar that does not bend
a rigid bar that bends when force applied
Q3.
Complete the following sentence. A reverse motion linkage creates movement that is ...
An image in a quiz
in the same direction.
Correct answer: in opposite directions.
in a downward direction.
in an upward direction.
Q4.
A reverse motion linkage contains ...
Correct answer: one fixed pivot.
two fixed pivots.
three fixed pivots.
four fixed pivots.
five fixed pivots.
Q5.
Match the definitions
Correct Answer:input,starts the mechanism
tick

starts the mechanism

Correct Answer:output,the outcome of the mechanism
tick

the outcome of the mechanism

Correct Answer:mechanism,a set of moving parts that make something happen
tick

a set of moving parts that make something happen

Correct Answer:linkage,a mechanism connecting levers together
tick

a mechanism connecting levers together

Q6.
Which of the following is the word used to describe a mechanism that connects levers together?
Fulcrum
Pivot
Correct answer: Linkage
Lever

6 Questions

Q1.
To create movement, a parallel linkage must have ...
all loose pivots.
Correct answer: fixed and loose pivots.
all fixed pivots.
Q2.
How does a parallel linkage move?
side-to-side, with the input and output not moving in any direction
Correct answer: side-to-side, with the input and output moving in the same direction
side-to-side, with the input and output moving in opposite directions
Q3.
Which of the following explanations are the best description for parallel linkages?
one pair of parallel levers
Correct answer: two pairs of parallel levers
three pairs of parallel levers
four pairs of parallel levers
Q4.
How many fixed pivot points does a push-pull linkage usually have?
Correct Answer: Two, 2
Q5.
Match the words to the definition.
Correct Answer:loose pivot,a free moving point that joins two levers together
tick

a free moving point that joins two levers together

Correct Answer:fixed pivot,a point that joins a lever to one place
tick

a point that joins a lever to one place

Correct Answer:input,the motion used to start a mechanism
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the motion used to start a mechanism

Correct Answer:output,the motion caused by the input
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the motion caused by the input

Q6.
What happens to the input and output movements on a push-pull linkage?
An image in a quiz
They move in opposite directions.
They move apart.
Correct answer: They move in the same direction.

Additional material

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