Biomechanics

I can calculate the moment of a force around a joint.

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Year 7

Biomechanics

I can calculate the moment of a force around a joint.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

A muscle attached to a bone exerts a force on the bone when the muscle contracts, which makes the bone move.
Biomechanics is the study of this movement.
A moment is the turning effect of the force when a bone pivots at a joint.
The size of the moment when a bone pivots at a joint can be calculated.

Keywords

Muscle contraction - Muscle contraction is the shortening of muscles.
Force - A force is a push or a pull that acts on an object.
Biomechanics - Biomechanics is the study of how the body moves.
Moment - A moment is the turning effect of a force.
Pivot - The point around which an object can rotate is a pivot.

Common misconception

Pupils may not have encountered the moment equation in physics.

Pupils might need extra support substituting values into the equation.

If making the model in learning cycle 1, string can be used to replace elastic bands and is sometimes easier to manage. Make a model first so that pupils can see what a good one looks like.

Teacher tip

Equipment

Lolly sticks, elastic band/string, tape, tiny elastic bands/loom bands.

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).