Scioly.org

I think its just backwards. If you change it to effort distance/load distance, then it covers all the bases.

I agree,the correct formula is effort or force or input-distance/load or resistance or output-distance. But we need to make sure that the local judges all know about this. I have lost points for those tasks 2 times already.

We've corrected the FAQ: http://soinc.org/node/861

Can anyone suggest the best way to self-measure a lever task?

In 3D space, it would seem difficult to suspend a ruler or otherwise illustrate the distance the loads travel.

Marking the distance of the loads from the fulcrum could be an easier way to self-measure the IMA. Would that qualify?

We are printing the rulers on piece of paper and cut them out and glue them on the machine. Try the following website for pdf file of ruler:

http://www.vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/paper_rulers/

Thanks, but are you having the rulers measure the distance traveled for each load? My lever is not flush against a wall of the box, so I'm just thinking it's would be hard to illustrate the measurement....unless, you're looking at it from the right perspective. That's why I'm asking if self-measuring the distance from the loads to the fulcrum is a valid way to prove IMA.

I thought you can do it either way. Measuring load/effort distances is more realistic way to measure IMA but distances to the fulcrum is the ideal IMA. If my supervisor does not agree, I guess I would loose 10 points for the lever tasks.

losjackal wrote:Thanks, but are you having the rulers measure the distance traveled for each load? My lever is not flush against a wall of the box, so I'm just thinking it's would be hard to illustrate the measurement....unless, you're looking at it from the right perspective. That's why I'm asking if self-measuring the distance from the loads to the fulcrum is a valid way to prove IMA.

Why does it matter if it's flush against the wall of the box or not? Go buy a $0.50 plastic ruler at Target or Walmart, and mount it to the base of your box (sticking straight up) right next to the end of the lever. It doesn't even need to be aligned with zero, just make marks on it showing the starting and ending positions.

Why does it matter if it's flush against the wall of the box or not? Go buy a $0.50 plastic ruler at Target or Walmart, and mount it to the base of your box (sticking straight up) right next to the end of the lever. It doesn't even need to be aligned with zero, just make marks on it showing the starting and ending positions.

So are you saying that distances to the fulcrum are not acceptable for measuring IMA?

chalker wrote:

losjackal wrote:Thanks, but are you having the rulers measure the distance traveled for each load? My lever is not flush against a wall of the box, so I'm just thinking it's would be hard to illustrate the measurement....unless, you're looking at it from the right perspective. That's why I'm asking if self-measuring the distance from the loads to the fulcrum is a valid way to prove IMA.

Why does it matter if it's flush against the wall of the box or not? Go buy a $0.50 plastic ruler at Target or Walmart, and mount it to the base of your box (sticking straight up) right next to the end of the lever. It doesn't even need to be aligned with zero, just make marks on it showing the starting and ending positions.

Our team's box happens to be oriented vertically, so the lever task is not near the bottom of the box. It's mostly in mid-air, supported by the fulcrum...but I'll take another look and see if we can affix rulers to some supports.

Marking the distance from the load to the fulcrum would still be easier...would like to know your response to the above question as well.