The Simple Machines assessment will be given on _________

What is a simple machine? What is the load?

Simple Machines Study Guide

A simple machine has just one moving part, or none, and requires only manual force from a person or animal to make them move. A simple machine uses force to move a load.

The load is the weight to be lifted or work to be done.

What is the force?

The force (effort) is the power, strength or energy used to move something.

How do simple machines make work easier? What is work?

Simple machines make work easier by reducing the amount of force needed to do work, but it also increases the amount of distance covered while doing the work.

Work is when force (effort) is applied to an object and the object is moved a measurable distance. Work = Force x Distance Examples: If you push a wall all day and the wall does not move, you have not done any work. If you lift a spoon you have done work. Reading a book is not producing scientific work.

What is a compound or complex machine? Levers

When simple machines are combined, they become compound machines. There are three parts to a lever, the load, the force and the fulcrum. If you move the fulcrum closer to the load, you can lift the load with a small amount of force but your load moves a short distance. If you move the fulcrum closer to the force, you need a greater force to lift the load but you can lift it a longer distance. Examples of levers: screwdriver, seesaw, door, baseball bat, broom

Inclined Planes

An inclined plane is a plane set at an angle, such as a ramp. If you move a load up an inclined plane you use less force but you move your load over a longer distance. Examples of inclined planes: ladder, ramp, stairs, escalator, slide

Screws

A screw is really an inclined plane. You need to travel a longer distance by turning the screw many times (on the threads) to complete the task. Examples of screws: drill bit, cap on bottle

Wheel and Axel Wedge Pulley

A wheel and axel is a circular disk that turns on an axis, or rod. Examples of wheels and axels: faucet, doorknob, handlebars on bike, wheel on car

A wedge is a double inclined plane. They are used to split or pull things apart. Examples of wedges: Knife, can opener, needles, nail, saw and doorstop.

A pulley is a simple machine that changes direction of the force. Instead of your muscles lifting the object up, they work to pull down the pulley. Using one pulley changes the direction of force but does not reduce the amount of force needed. Using more than one pulley decreases the force needed to lift the load.