Distinguish linear, rotary, oscillating, and reciprocating motion. Explain how a mechanism changes direction, speed, force, or motion type. Connect motion choices to aerospace systems such as control surfaces, landing gear, or payload doors.
Materials
For the online work: a browser and your engineering notebook. Follow the activity’s materials list for any physical build, and get teacher approval before using equipment.
Plan your time
Suggested work block: 45–60 minutes. Physical builds and projects may span several classes; follow your teacher’s schedule.
Mission Briefing
Today’s Plan
Use this page with the lesson presentation, your engineering notebook, and the tools or evidence assigned for Classify Mechanisms by Motion.
Learning Targets
Distinguish linear, rotary, oscillating, and reciprocating motion.
Explain how a mechanism changes direction, speed, force, or motion type.
Connect motion choices to aerospace systems such as control surfaces, landing gear, or payload doors.
Success Looks Like
You can identify motion types and explain how mechanisms transfer or transform motion.
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Opening Prompt
How do mechanisms change or control motion in aerospace systems?
Connect your response to the decision, evidence, or quality standard required for Classify Mechanisms by Motion.
Reveal: useful engineering move
This lesson is ready to move forward when the evidence meets this standard: Motion classifications describe what the parts actually do rather than only naming the device.
Core Skill
What We Are Practicing
Key Idea 1
Mechanisms make motion useful and controlled.
Key Idea 2
Motion can be transferred, transformed, limited, or amplified.
Key Idea 3
A mechanism choice should match the function the system must perform.
Your Task
Classify Mechanisms by Motion
Analyze examples to determine their input motion, output motion, and mechanical purpose.
Identify the moving components in each example.
Classify input and output motion as rotary, linear, oscillating, or reciprocating.
Describe how the mechanism changes or transfers motion.
Select one mechanism type that may be useful later and explain why.
Quality check: Motion classifications describe what the parts actually do rather than only naming the device.
Lesson Interactive
Classify Types of Motion
Identify motion by following the path of the output component.
System
Observed output motion
Classification
Access-panel hinge
Turns around a fixed axis
Payload drawer
Moves straight in and out
Cam follower
Moves repeatedly up and down
Cooling fan
Turns continuously
Describe the motion of the output part: translation, continuous rotation, back-and-forth translation, or oscillation.
What You Will Submit
Mechanism Motion Analysis
One completed input/output motion chart for the assigned mechanisms.
Submission standard: Motion classifications describe what the parts actually do rather than only naming the device.
Resources
Lesson Resources
Presentation
Lesson 4.5 PowerPoint
Use the lesson slides for guided practice, interactive checks, and the exit ticket.
Check calculations, units, labels, and measurements against the activity requirements.
Record what actually happened, including unexpected results.
Explain what you changed and why; attach required drawings, photos, CAD, or code in your classroom assignment.
Submit the evidence specified in the activity and your classroom assignment. The report below collects your notes, calculations, observations, and reflections; attach any required drawings, photos, CAD, or code separately.
A PDF download is not a submission. Review it, then upload it and any required attachments through your classroom assignment system.