How pulleys can help us
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how pulleys can make difficult work easier.
Key learning points
- A pulley is a simple mechanism or machine, used in everyday life, which is useful for lifting things.
- A pulley often consists of a wheel with a groove, through which a string or rope runs.
- The object you are lifting is called the load, and the force you apply to make an object move is called the effort.
- Some pulleys make it easier because they change the direction of the force needed to lift an object.
- Some pulleys make it easier to lift an object because they decrease the effort or force needed.
Keywords
Pull - A pull is a force that brings an object closer.
Pulley - A pulley is a simple mechanism or machine which is useful for lifting things.
Load - The load is the object being lifted.
Effort - The effort is the force needed to do a job.
Force - A force is a push or a pull. Forces can make objects move, slow down, change direction or change shape.
Common misconception
All pulleys have the wheel attached to a ceiling.
Examples will be given of different types of simple pulleys.
Teacher tip
Encourage children to notice how pulleys make everyday life easier and investigate the different ways in which they can make it easier to lift a load.
Equipment
See additional resources.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What do pull forces do?
Q2.Which of these activities involve a push force?
Q3.Gravity is the force that attracts or objects to Earth.
Q4.A seesaw is an example of what type of simple machine or mechanism?
Q5.When you use a lever, what do you call the force used to move an object.
Q6.What is the name given to the thing you lift using a lever?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A is a simple mechanism or machine, involving a wheel and rope or chain, which is useful for lifting things.
Q2.What is the word used to describe the force you apply when using a pulley to lift something?
Q3.Which of these images shows a correctly labelled pulley?
Q4.Which of these pieces of equipment can often use pulleys?
Q5.Which of these pulleys does not change the direction of the effort needed to lift the load?
Q6.How does this pulley make it easier to lift the load?
To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: How pulleys can help us, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 science lesson on: How pulleys can help us, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 science lessons from the Forces including simple machines unit, dive into the full primary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.