Simple Machines

Your Task: Watch this slide show Draw a picture of each kind of simple machine on your answer sheet Write a short description of why we use simple machines

Simple Machines Machines do not reduce the amount of work for us, but they can make it easier. There are six types of simple machines which form the basis for all mechanical machines today.

Six types of Simple Machines Inclined Plane Lever Wheel & Axle Pulley Screw Wedge

Examples

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ORGANIZER SIMPLE MACHINES WHAT IT ISHOW IT HELPS US WORK EXAMPLES LEVERA stiff bar that rests on a support called a fulcrum Lifts or moves loads Shovel, nutcracker, seesaw, crow-bar, elbow INCLINED PLANE A slanting surface connecting a lower level to a higher level Things move up or down it Slide, stairs, ramp, escalator WHEEL AND AXLE A wheel with a rod, called an axel, through its center: both parts move together Lifts or moves loads Doorknob, pencil sharpener, bike

ORGANIZER SIMPLE MACHINES WHAT IT ISHOW IT HELPS US WORK EXAMPLES PULLEYA grooved wheel with a rope or cable around it Moves things up, down, or across Curtain rod, tow truck, mini-blind, flag pole, crane WEDGEA type of inclined plane with a sharp edge. The wedge moves, the inclined plane stays still. Pushes things apart Axe blade SCREWAn inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. Works with a lever. Raises weights, presses or fastens objects Screws, nuts

Lever LEVER: The lever is a simple machine made with a bar free to move about a fixed point called a fulcrum. There are three types of levers.  A first class lever is like a teeter-totter or see-saw. One end will lift an object (child) up just as far as the other end is pushed down.  A second class lever is like a wheel barrow. The long handles of a wheel barrow are really the long arms of a lever.  A third class lever is like a fishing pole. When the pole is given a tug, one end stays still but the other end flips in the air catching the fish.

Pulley PULLEY: A pulley is a simple machine made with a rope, belt or chain wrapped around a grooved wheel. A pulley works two ways. It can change the direction of a force or it can change the amount of force.  A fixed pulley changes the direction of the applied force. ( Ex. Raising the flag ).  A movable pulley is attached to the object you are moving.

Inclined Plane INCLINED PLANE : An inclined plane is a simple machine with no moving parts. It is simply a straight slanted surface.  For example: a ramp

Wheel & Axle WHEEL AND AXLE : A wheel and axle is a modification of a pulley. A wheel is fixed to a shaft. The wheel and shaft must move together to be a simple machine.  Sometimes the wheel has a crank or handle on it.  Examples of wheel and axles include roller skates and doorknobs.

Wedge WEDGE: A wedge is a modification of an inclined plane that moves. It is made of two inclined planes put together.  Instead of the resistance being moved up an inclined plane, the inclined plane moves the resistance.

Screw SCREW : A screw is a simple machine that is like an inclined plane. It is an inclined plane that wraps around a shaft.

Summary Simple machines are "simple" because most have only one moving part. Machines do not reduce the amount of work for us, but they can make it easier. "Work" is only done when something is moved. Work is the product of effort and distance.

Fulcrum Lever Load Click Here to Learn More

Click on the dude to learn more.

A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a post. Click on the light bulb to learn more.

Two inclined planes make a wedge. Try to catch the saw to learn more.

Axle Wheel Click on the windmill to learn more.

Wheel Rope This box is easier to lift because of the pulley. Click on it to learn more.

Have you learned it all yet? Let’s look at a worksheet to see. Click Here

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Now it’s time to link to Inspiration. When you get there, all of the simple machines are shown. Create some clouds around each picture and add some examples for each simple machine. Click below to begin.