what is a pencil sharpener?
A pencil sharpener is a simple tool that makes the tip of a pencil sharp and pointy by shaving off the wood around it. There are generally two types of pencil sharpeners: electric and hand-operated. Electric pencil sharpeners have a motor inside that causes the razor to spin quickly and sharpen a pencil rapidly and efficiently. Hand-operated sharpeners work when the pencil is turned manually toward the razor, and the wood and graphite are shaved off the sides.
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why a pencil SHARPENER consists of 2 simple machines:
The old fashioned pencil sharpeners that are mounted to the wall and cranked by a handle are an example of a compound machine that consists two simple machines: the wheel and axle and a wedge. The hand crank of the sharpener is the axle that turns a wheel that is attached to the gears inside the sharpener to sharpen the pencil.
1. Wedge:
In a pencil sharpener, the blade that shaves off the wood and lead from a pencil to make a sharp point is a simple machine called a wedge. A wedge is constructed from two inclined planes put together. . The sharper the wedge is, the more of a mechanical advantage it has. It works by transferring the horizontal force you apply into vertical force. A small, handheld pencil sharpener is usually a simple wedge. Other examples of wedges are knives, axes, shovels, forks and even teeth
2. Wheel and Axle:
A crank-type pencil sharpener employs a wheel and axle in addition to a wedge; you turn the axle by turning a crank, which then transfers the force from your hand to the wheel. The advantage of a wheel and axle is that it allows you to turn things using less force than by hand, though over a greater distance. Other examples of a wheel and axle are bicycle gears and steering wheels.
1. Wedge:
In a pencil sharpener, the blade that shaves off the wood and lead from a pencil to make a sharp point is a simple machine called a wedge. A wedge is constructed from two inclined planes put together. . The sharper the wedge is, the more of a mechanical advantage it has. It works by transferring the horizontal force you apply into vertical force. A small, handheld pencil sharpener is usually a simple wedge. Other examples of wedges are knives, axes, shovels, forks and even teeth
2. Wheel and Axle:
A crank-type pencil sharpener employs a wheel and axle in addition to a wedge; you turn the axle by turning a crank, which then transfers the force from your hand to the wheel. The advantage of a wheel and axle is that it allows you to turn things using less force than by hand, though over a greater distance. Other examples of a wheel and axle are bicycle gears and steering wheels.
how a pencil SHARPENER is made:
In this video we see how a hand held pencil sharpener is made at a factory. This type of pencil sharpener is slightly different than the two listed above and therefore has less moving parts.
Can you answer the following questions: 1. What material are the sharpeners made from? 2. What simple machine makes up this type of pencil sharpener? 3. How is this pencil sharpener different than the two listed above? |
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Pencil sharpeners are one of those items people always expect to be there but perhaps rarely ponder the sharpener's history or creation. Pencils were around longer than the sharpener, forcing people to use a small knife to whittle a point at the tip of the device.
When pencil sharpeners did come around, they showed up in a flurry of often elaborate designs and styles, but ideas petered out quickly. The basic mechanics of a pencil sharpener have not changed much in nearly 100 years.
When pencil sharpeners did come around, they showed up in a flurry of often elaborate designs and styles, but ideas petered out quickly. The basic mechanics of a pencil sharpener have not changed much in nearly 100 years.
top secret QR mission:
Using your top secret QR scanner app on your ipad you are asked to decrypt the special link embedded in the image to UNLOCK and discover key information on pencil sharpeners that will help you further your learning journey.
kidblog digital portfolio activity:
As part of your ongoing mission training all agents are now asked to proceed to their KidBlog digital portfolio website to post a mission log entry titled "Why Pencil Sharpners Are Considered Compound Machines". In your post please explain what simple machines make up this compound machine and give at least one other example of each machine. Finally, you are then asked to read the mission log entries of all your other class agents and from there post 1 comment on another agents post adding to their original idea. Remember, comments are constructive and used to help other agents in the field gain more knowledge on the topic they are posting on.
before you move to the next level of knowledge?
Before you attempt your next level of knowledge it is important that you are prepared to do so.
Just as special agent Jack Youngblood said "Good luck is a residue of preparation” and so you want to make sure before you move to your next level of training you can answer the following questions:
1. What is a compound machine?
2. What 3 simple machines comprise a wheelbarrow?
3. What are some common uses for a wheelbarrow?
4. How does the 3 simple machines work to make the wheelbarrow?
Just as special agent Jack Youngblood said "Good luck is a residue of preparation” and so you want to make sure before you move to your next level of training you can answer the following questions:
1. What is a compound machine?
2. What 3 simple machines comprise a wheelbarrow?
3. What are some common uses for a wheelbarrow?
4. How does the 3 simple machines work to make the wheelbarrow?
hidden level of knowledge:
In order to gain access to each level of knowledge in this mission you must first gain access to the hidden mission page links. To do that you must click on the button below: