Simple Machines

A simulation where learners interact with simple machines—like levers, pulleys, and inclined planes—to see how they reduce effort, trade force for distance, and demonstrate mechanical advantage in real-world tasks.

Category: Physics
Grades: Grades 6-12
Variant: Guided
Standards: NGSS Physical Science, NGSS Engineering
Plays on: VRDesktopWeb

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Lab objectives and outcomes

Students will be able to identify the components of levers, pulleys, and inclined planes within the simulation.
Students will be able to demonstrate how manipulating simple machines can reduce the effort required to move an object.
Students will be able to analyze the trade-off between applied force and distance moved when utilizing different simple machines to achieve a task.

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Suggested activities

Simple Machines Quiz

Pre-assessment

Open

Simple Machines Discussion

Post-assessment

Open

Track learner progress

Run this simulation with a class and watch it happen: who started, who finished, and how long each learner took. Drill into a run to see what they actually did.

Group sessions

Powered by SimGenie AI

SimGenie acts as a built-in lab assistant. A learner who gets stuck can ask for a hint by voice, and it adapts its guidance to what they are doing in the scene.

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Simple Machines

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