Biomechanics

I can calculate the moment of a force around a joint.

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Year 7

Biomechanics

I can calculate the moment of a force around a joint.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

A muscle attached to a bone exerts a force on the bone when the muscle contracts, which makes the bone move.
Biomechanics is the study of this movement.
A moment is the turning effect of the force when a bone pivots at a joint.
The size of the moment when a bone pivots at a joint can be calculated.

Common misconception

Pupils may not have encountered the moment equation in physics.

Pupils might need extra support substituting values into the equation.

Keywords

Muscle contraction - Muscle contraction is the shortening of muscles.
Force - A force is a push or a pull that acts on an object.
Biomechanics - Biomechanics is the study of how the body moves.
Moment - A moment is the turning effect of a force.
Pivot - The point around which an object can rotate is a pivot.

If making the model in learning cycle 1, string can be used to replace elastic bands and is sometimes easier to manage. Make a model first so that pupils can see what a good one looks like.

Teacher tip

Equipment

Lolly sticks, elastic band/string, tape, tiny elastic bands/loom bands.

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).