Astolot Educational Centre – Alisa Miller – Grade 8 Science

Grade 8
Systems in Action Unit Review Questions ANSWERS

1. When a nutcracker is operated, what is the input and what is the

output? (Sec 1.2)

When a nutcracker is operated, the input would be your hand

squeezing the two handles together, while the output would be the
cracking of the nut.

2. a) Draw a diagram of each class of lever. (Sec 2.1)

b) On each diagram, use arrows and labels to show the input force,
the fulcrum, and the load force. *There was an error. Output force
should be changed to fulcrum.

Class 1
A teeter-totter is
another example.

Class 2

A wheelbarrow is
another example

Class 3

A fishing rod and a hockey

stick are other examples.
 Astolot Educational Centre – Alisa Miller – Grade 8 Science

3. Name six simple machines and give an example of each. (Sec 2.1)
The six simple machines are:
a) Inclined plane – e.g. A wheelchair ramp, a slide, skateboard
ramp
b) Wedge – e.g. An axe, a doorstop, your front teeth
c) Screw – e.g. Jar lids, light bulbs
d) Wheel and axle – e.g. A steering wheel, wheels of a car, a Ferris
wheel
e) Levers – e.g. scissors, see saw, fishing rod

4. a) Give two examples of situations when increasing friction is

desirable. (Sec 2.2)
It would be desirable to increase friction when you are trying to
brake in a car, on a bike, or when running and trying to stop.

b) Give two examples of situations when decreasing friction is

desirable.
It would be desirable to decrease friction when skating,
snowboarding, or skiing.

*Other answers are possible. This is just an example

5. a) Define the term “mechanical advantage.” (Sec 2.3)

Mechanical advantage is the ratio of output force to input force
(Output (N) divided by Input (N)). It means “machines making things
easier.” If the output is bigger than the input, then that machine
makes things easier and faster for humans.

b) Explain the difference between ideal mechanical advantage and

actual mechanical advantage.
Ideal MA is if all input is turned into output (for example, the answer
you get when you perform the above calculations). This does not
actually exist in the real world because no machine (including
humans) is 100% efficient. Energy is always lost to friction and heat.

Actual MA is the Ideal MA minus the force lost to friction and heat.
This is what happens in real life.
 Astolot Educational Centre – Alisa Miller – Grade 8 Science

6. What is the mechanical advantage of a lever that can lift a 100 N

load with an input force of 20 N? (Sec 2.3)

MA = Output Output = 100 N Input = 20 N

Input

= 100 N = 5 N The mechanical advantage of the lever is 5N.

20 N

7. a) Which units measure work? (Sec 2.5)

Joules (J)

b) What is the formula for calculating the amount of work done?

Work(J) = Force (N) X Distance (m)

c) A force of 1200N was used to push a couch 0.5m. How much work
was done? Show your work.

Work = Force x Distance Force = 1200 N Distance = 0.5 m

= 1200 N x 0.5 m = 600 J 600J of work was done to push the

couch.

8. One of the goals of system designers is to improve efficiency. Why

is improved efficiency important? (Sec 3.2)

The term “efficiency” means doing something without wasting time,

energy or money. Efficiency is important because we only have a
limited amount of time, energy and money and so it is important to
do things as efficiently as possibly.
 Astolot Educational Centre – Alisa Miller – Grade 8 Science

9. Identify each of the following statements as true or false. If the

statement is false, explain why.

a) All work requires some force. TRUE

Work = force x distance. If the force is 0, then the work will be 0.

b) All forces result in some work. FALSE

There can be a lot of force applied, but if it does not result in the
object moving, then there is no work done. W = f x d. If d = 0, then W
= 0.

c) To be considered a simple machine, a wheel and axle must be

attached to one another. TRUE

The wheel and axle must be attached. Otherwise it is just a wheel,

and a stick.