Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 8.10
Illustration
of an inclined plane
d
brick
h
A
8.7.3 Activity 7: Inclined Plane
8.7.3.1 Necessary Materials
- Rubber band spring scale
- Block of wood or equivalent
- Tape measure or ruler
- Wooden lath with around 50 cm length
- Brick or equivalent
- Adhesive tape
8.7.3.2 Procedure
1. Determine the weight of the block. For this, use the rubber band spring scale.
2. Use the wooden lath and the brick to construct the inclined plane, as shown in
Fig.
8.10
. The slope of inclined plane is fixed by the height of the brick.
3. Measure
A
,
d
, and
h
.
4. Attach the rubber band spring scale to the wood block and pull it up the ramp,
moving it continuously, in a uniform way, in order to maintain a constant
velocity. Determine the value of the force exerted for this.
5. Find the ratio between the value of the weight of the block and the value of the
force to pull it up the ramp and determine the mechanical advantage.
6. Determine the theoretical mechanical advantage by calculating the ratio between
the lengths
d
and
h
. Try to justify the possible difference.
7. Change the height
h
, by using a different dimension of the brick, and repeat the
items from 3 to 6.
8. Compare the results obtained in 6 and 7 and discuss.
