Example Have you ever : Tried to take a super heavy object up a flight of stairs ? WHAT HAPPENED

Example Have you ever Tried to cut a cake with out a knife?

Example Have you ever tried to unscrew a nut, bolt, or screw from something with your bare hands and discovered that it was just too tight to loosen even if you had a good grip?

Example Have you ever Tried raise the blinds in your house without the strings?

Simple Machines

Machines are tools that make tasks easier.

All machines are built using one or more simple machines.

Simple machines are tools used to make work easier.

You have probably used some simple machines, but did not realize that they were actually called simple machines!

It would be hard to cut this wood without the saw! Simple machines do not make less work; they just make it easier to do work. It would be hard to cut this wood without the saw!

The 6 Simple Machines Screw Wedge Inclined Plane Pulley Wheel and Axle Lever

There are 6 different types of simple machines: (4)wheel & axle (1)lever (2)screw (5)inclined plane (3)pulley (6)wedge

A lever is a stiff bar that moves about a fixed point (fulcrum). A lever is used to push, pull, or lift things.

A shovel is an example of a lever. A seesaw is another example of a lever.

A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder or cone. A common use of the screw is to hold objects together.

A jar lid and a wood screw are examples of a screw. So far we have learned about 2 types of simple machines: levers & screws….

A pulley is a wheel that has a rope wrapped around it. Pulleys can be used to lift heavy objects by changing the direction or amount of the force.

A flagpole uses a pulley to raise the flag. Now we have learned about 3 types of simple machines: levers, screws, and pulleys…..

A wheel & axle consists of a rod attached to a wheel. A wheel & axle makes it easier to move or turn things.

A bicycle wheel, roller skates, and a doorknob are all examples of a wheel & axle. We now know about 4 types of simple machines: levers, screws, pulleys, and wheels & axles.

An inclined plane helps move heavy objects up or down. An inclined plane is a flat surface that is raised so that one end is higher than the other. An inclined plane helps move heavy objects up or down.

A ramp is an example of an inclined plane. Let’s add inclined plane to our list of simple machines (along with levers, screws, pulleys, and wheels & axles).

(6) WEDGE A wedge is wide at one end and pointed at the other to help cut or split other objects.

Examples of wedges: a knife or an ax

Now you know about the 6 types of simple machines: (4) WHEEL & AXLE (1) LEVER (2) SCREW (5) INCLINED PLANE (3) PULLEY (6) WEDGE

These simple machines make work easier!

Can you think of other examples of pulleys? Did you say either of these: A pulley that raises and lowers blinds. The pulley that raises and lowers the flag on a flagpole.

A lever is a type of simple machine. A lever uses force to move something.

Here are some examples of levers. bottle opener seesaw toilet flusher

Can you think of other examples of levers? Did you say either or these? crowbar scissors

A wheel and axle is a type of simple machine. The axle is the rod that holds the wheels together.

Here are some examples of wheel and axles. pencil sharpener rolling pin ferris wheel

Can you think of other examples of wheel and axels? Did you say any of these? skates wagon bicycle

The inclined plane is a simple machine. An inclined plane is a slanted surface that can be used to raise or lower things. An inclined plane does not move.

These are some examples of inclined planes. boat ramp wheelchair ramp hatchet

Can you think of other examples of inclined planes? Did you say any of these? dump truck ladder roller coaster

A wedge is a type of simple machine. A wedge is two inclined planes that are back to back. The difference between an inclined plane is that it does its work by staying still, while a wedge moves. Wedges hold things together or split things apart.

These are some examples of wedges. A fork and a knife screwdriver golf club

Can you think of other examples of wedges? Did you say any of these? ship nail teeth

A screw is a type of simple machine. A screw is an inclined plane that is wrapped around a cylinder with a flat head on one end. This head is used to turn or drive the screw into something.

These are some examples of wedges. corkscrew bottle lids swivel stool

Can you think of other examples of screws? Did you say any of these? door lock clamp light bulb

As you can see, our world is made up of many simple machines As you can see, our world is made up of many simple machines. You can find examples any place you look. Simple machines solve the problem of how to do work faster and easier. Maybe you can invent a machine that will make some job faster and easier.

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

Diagrams of Pulleys Fixed pulley: Movable Pulley: A fixed pulley changes the direction of a force; however, it does not create a mechanical advantage. Movable Pulley: The mechanical advantage of a moveable pulley is equal to the number of ropes that support the moveable pulley.

COMBINED PULLEY The effort needed to lift the load is less than half the weight of the load. The main disadvantage is it travels a very long distance. 

Click Here to Learn More Levers Lever Load Fulcrum

Inclined Plane Click on the dude to learn more.

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

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

Wheel and Axle Click on the windmill to learn more. Wheel Axle

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