Make a crane
15 minutesYou can use simple materials to build your own crane.
Requirements
Steps
Cut a slit at the top of each tube. It should be wide enough for a pencil to fit in.
Cut four thick strips from a toilet roll. These will help support the crane.
Place both tubes on the flat piece of cardboard. Place the pencil in the slit on the tubes, making sure that it sticks out a bit at both sides. This gives you a good distance between the tubes.
Then stick the strips of toilet roll to the base of the tubes and the flat piece of cardboard to help the tubes stand up.
Tip: Make sure that your pencil sticks out at either side of the tubes, so you can turn it easily.
Stick one end of the string to the middle of the pencil, using sticky tape.
Put the pencil on top of the tubes in the slits. Tie the loose end of the string around the small object you want your crane to lift. Turn the pencil and up it goes! So wat happens?
What did you discover
You have made a crane with a mechanism called a winch. A winch is something that turns to roll up a rope or cable. Winches form the basis for machines such as lifts, where they are used to raise and lower heavy weights.
Tip: Try making changes to your construction. For example, you could use a thicker pencil or place the tubes closer together or further apart. What happens when you make these adjustments?