New
New
Year 5
How levers can help us
I can describe how levers can make difficult work easier.
New
New
Year 5
How levers can help us
I can describe how levers can make difficult work easier.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- A lever is a simple mechanism or machine which is useful for lifting things.
- A lever allows a smaller force to have a greater effect.
- The object you are lifting is called the load.
- The force you apply to the load to make an object move is called the effort.
- A lever requires different amounts of force depending on where the pivot is positioned.
Keywords
Force - A force is a push or a pull. Forces can make objects move, slow down, change direction or change shape.
Lever - A lever is a simple mechanism or machine which is useful for lifting things.
Load - The load is the object you are lifting with a lever.
Effort - The effort is the force needed to do a job.
Pivot - The pivot is the fixed point where a lever turns.
Common misconception
All levers work in the same way.
Teaching that the position of the pivot (fulcrum) and the effort compared to load can vary.
Children will learn how levers make our lives easier and will have the chance to measure how they can reduce the effort needed to lift objects.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Force meters, stiff wooden rulers or rods, masses, elastic bands, sticky tape.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Forces are and pulls.
Q2.
Which of the following is not caused by a force?
slowing down
speeding up
changing direction
changing shape
Q3.
Which type of force do you use when you close scissors to cut paper?
pull
twist
Q4.
What unit are forces measured in?
seconds
litres
metres
Q5.
What is another name for force meters?
Einstein meters
Anning meters
Attenborough meters
Q6.
Which of the following is a type of friction force?
gravity
magnetism
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
A __________ is a simple mechanism or machine which is useful for lifting or moving things. A seesaw is an example of one of these.
force
pulley
Q2.
A lever allows a smaller force to have a __________ effect.
smaller
lesser
Q3.
When you use a lever, the object you are lifting or moving is called ...
the effort.
the pivot.
Q4.
When you use a lever, the force you apply to make an object move is called...
the load.
the pivot.
Q5.
The point along a lever on which it turns is called the .
Q6.
Look at the position of the pivot in these diagrams. In which one would the least effort be needed to lift the load?
b
c
Additional material
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