Machines & Mechanisms

Resources of Technology

People	Time	Energy	Capital
Information	Materials	Tools & Machines	All Technologies require these resources. Try and think of one that doesn't.

In this activity, we will concentrate on one of the resources of technology, machines: what is a machine, types of machines, and how they help us do work.
Students will complete problem-solving activities using Lego kits to help them understand concepts of power and work. The class will be divided into (4) groups during this activity:

Lego Pneumatics
Lego Machines
Lego Mobile Robots
Internet activity (see below)

Computer Activity

In this activity, you will use the Internet to learn about Machines and how they work.
Write your answers out on a sheet of paper. The links below will come in handy on this activity!

Simple Machines

Leonardo Da Vinci

Work, Energy, & Power

How Stuff Works

You can use the links above to answer the following:You will still have to do some searching within and outside the sites. (waah!)
Write down your answers to the following questions:(make sure they are legible)

1. What is a machine?

2. What are the six simple machines?

3. Who was Leonardo Da Vinci and what does he have to do with machines?

4. Go to the "Inventors Workshop" on the Leonardo page. What "visions of the future" are attributed to Leonardo?

5. Go to the "elements of machines" page, read it and complete the activity. List which simple machines are in each of the gadgets. Think logically, and keep trying until you get them!

6. Define WORK and POWER:

7. What is Mechanical Energy?

8. What is Fluid Power? (try the NationaL Fluid Power Association page)

9. What is the difference between pneumatics and hydraulics?

10. What type of liquid is used in hydraulic machines?

11. What system in your car is a good example of a hydraulic system?

12. Why do car engines use gasoline? Why not something else?

13. What is meant by "internal combustion?"

14. What are the four strokes of an typical internal combustion engine?

15. Who is credited with inventing it?

16. List the main parts of an engine and what they do: 17. What are the "big three' things that cause an engine not to work?

18. What does a camshaft do?

19. What does the ignition system basically do?

20. What does the cooling system consist of?

21. List some techniques (3-4) that can be used to increase engine power.

22. What is horsepower?

23. Who came up with the idea of "horsepower?"

24. What is a Fuel Cell?

25. What is a PEMFC?

26. How much voltage does a typical fuel cell produce?

27. What is a major problem with fuel cells?

ROBOTICS

Go to thetech.org for answers to the following questions.

28. What is a Robot? Where did the term ROBOT come from?
29. What type of jobs are robots better at than humans?
30. What was the name of the ROVER that explored Mars in 1997?
31. How long does it take radio commands from Earth to reach Mars?
32. Try the Remotely operated vehicle! record your time for finding the target on earth and on the moon.
33. Go to to learn about the Mars Exploration Rovers. (hint: watch the video!)
What are the names of the 2 Mars rovers currently working on Mars?
What unique idea is used to land these robotic missions?
34. Go toThe Bomb Squad!
Go to the Hazardous Duty Robots, read about them and match the right robot to the job!
Write down which robot is correct for which job.

Don't forget to hand in your answers!