Page 145 - Big Ideas Year 10 sciPAD 2025
P. 145
PHOTOCOPYING PROHIBITED
© Silverback Academic Media 145
SCIPAD - BIG IDEAS - BOOK 2
FORCES AND MOTION
The Wedge
A wedge is two inclined planes placed back to back. A downwards effort can be amplified into
a sideways separation effort. An axe is a type of wedge. They use inclined planes to amplify effort.
The axe moves a greater distance into the log
than the separation distance. The amplified effort
forces the log to separate.
The sharp edge penetrates the
log. The inclined planes amplify
the sideways force.
As the axe is swung downwards.
The sharp edge of the axe means
the force is concentrated in a very
small area increasing the pressure.
Investigating Wedges
Aim: To investigate the advantage of using a wedge to separate
objects.
Equipment: Two blocks of wood, 4 rubber bands, a thin wedge and a
thick wedge.
Method: 1. Bind the two blocks together with the rubber bands.
2. Try pulling the blocks apart using only your hands.
3. Insert the tip of the thick wedge between the blocks.
4. Push the wedge gently into the block with the palm of your
hand.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the thin wedge.
Results: Comment on the relative ease with which the blocks of
wood were separated using your hands, the thick wedge
and the thin wedge.
1. Use the word list to complete the following sentences.
force inclined work space moved
Wedges are a type of plane. However, instead of being stationary
and having done upon it, the wedge is an inclined plane that
is through something else. As a wedge is forced into a
in an object, it exerts a to widen the space.
2. State two tools that use the separating power of the wedge.
(a) (b)
1 2 3
Unchecked Sample Pages
For Review Purposes Only - Photocopying Prohibited
www.scipad.co.nz