How gears can help us
I can describe how gears can make difficult work easier.
How gears can help us
I can describe how gears can make difficult work easier.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Gears are simple mechanisms or machines which are useful for turning things.
- Gears are wheels with teeth that slot together and turn on an axle.
- Gears can change the direction of a force. When one gear is turned, the other gear turns in the opposite direction.
- Gears of different sizes working together can be used to change the size of a force and reduce the effort required.
- A smaller gear will turn rapidly with less force, whereas a larger gear will turn more slowly with a greater force.
Keywords
Gear - A gear is a simple machine which is useful for turning things.
Cogs - A cog is a toothed wheel, often used in gear systems.
Axle - An axle is a rod that goes through the centre of the wheel to help it move and stay in place.
Clockwise - To turn clockwise means to turn in the same direction as the hands of a clock move round.
Force - A force is a push or a pull. Forces can make objects move, slow down, change direction or change shape.
Common misconception
Gears only exist in bicycles and cars.
Explicit teaching of what gears are and where they are found.
Equipment
See additional materials.
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).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a rigid bar resting on a turning point called a pivot
a grooved wheel with a rope threaded through it
Exit quiz
6 Questions
gear turns more slowly with a greater force.
gear turns more rapidly with less force.