Force and motion
Force and Motion
Inputs, outputs and pivots
In the class meeting, Students present the mechanisms they have made. It is important that they become accustomed to using the vocabulary that describes mechanisms.
2. Students describe their mechanisms in terms of the input and the way it controls the output. As they operate the mechanism, focus their attention on the directions of movement of the input and output.
Describe your mechanism using the words “input”, “control” and “output.”
*Does the input go in the same direction as the output, or the opposite direction? *
Emphasize the idea that the input controls the output.
- After a few presentations in which students identify the input and output, introduce two more terms: “fixed pivot” and “floating pivot”. Ask students to point to the fixed pivot and floating pivot as they describe their mechanisms.