The 6 Simple Machines All machines are made up of some of the 6 simple machines. Wheel and axle Pulley Lever Wedge Screw Inclined Plane

What is a Simple Machine? A simple machine has few or no moving parts. Simple machines make work easier The amount of force needed to move something decreases! Can transfer energy faster

Wheels and Axles The wheel and axle are a simple machine The axle is a rod that goes through the wheel which allows the wheel to turn Gears are a form of wheels and axles

Why do we need wheels? Wheels help us move heavy objects. They roll easily. Did you know a doorknob is really two wheels connected by an axle? You can’t see the axle because it’s inside the wheels, but it’s there! If there wasn’t an axle, the doorknob wouldn’t turn!

Pulleys Pulley are wheels and axles with a groove around the outside A pulley needs a rope, chain or belt around the groove to make it do work

Inclined Planes An inclined plane is a flat surface that is higher on one end Inclined planes make the work of moving things easier Roads are also inclined planes. Instead of going straight up, roads go up at small angles A sloping surface, such as a ramp. An inclined plane can be used to alter the effort and distance involved in doing work, such as lifting loads. The trade-off is that an object must be moved a longer distance than if it was lifted straight up, but less force is needed. You can use this machine to move an object to a lower or higher place.  Inclined planes make the work of moving things easier.  You would need less energy and force to move objects with an inclined plane. 

Wedges Two inclined planes joined back to back. Wedges are used to split things.

Where can we find wedges? Wedges that split: Your teeth! Every time you bite into something, you are using a wedge. Wedges that cut: A saw! A knife! Wedges that tighten: A doorstop to keep the door open. Wedges that hold things together: A nail holds wood to a wall or other wood.

Screws A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. The inclined plane allows the screw to move itself when rotated.

How to use a screw: Fasten two things together When you turn it, the threads cut a groove in the material, making a hole. The groove holds the screw tightly in place. To remove the screw you turn it the opposite way, you can’t just pull it out.

Levers There are three parts to a lever: Load Force Fulcrum: support or balance

Levers-First Class The fulcrum is in the middle and the load and effort are on either side Think of a see-saw

Levers-Second Class The fulcrum is at the end, with the load in the middle Think of a wheelbarrow

Levers-Third Class The fulcrum is again at the end, but the effort is in the middle Think of a pair of tweezers

Compound Machines Made of at least 2 simple machines