1. SIMPLE MACHINES Michigan Curriculum Framework: Strand IV, Content Standard III, Benchmark III.

2. TYPES OF SIMPLE MACHINES The Lever The Inclined Plane The Wedge The Pulley The Wheel and Axle The Gear System

3. THE LEVER The lever allows a person to magnify force, increase speed, or change direction. Examples: door on hinges, bottle opener, seesaw.

4. THE INCLINED PLANE The inclined plane provides magnification of force at the expense of distance. Example: Staircase, ramp, farm elevator.

5. THE WEDGE The wedge permits magnification of force in such situations as log splitting. Examples: axe, zipper, knife.

6. THE PULLEY The pulley reduces the force needed to move an object, the amount of rope needed to be pulled out is increased to achieve the reduction of force. Examples: flag pole, crane, mini-blinds.

7. THE WHEEL AND AXLE The wheel and axle are used largely to increase speed. Examples: door knob, wagon, wheel barrel, bicycle.

8. GEAR SYSTEM Gear systems are a special case of the wheel and axle where the component parts are interlocked by means of gear teeth. Gear systems can change both direction and speed. Examples: Clock, automobile, tractor.

9. ACTIVITY LINKS http://edheads.org/activities/simple- machines/simple-machines-pre-test.pdf http://edheads.org/activities/simple- machines/simple-machines-pre-test.pdf http://edheads.org/activities/simple- machines/ http://edheads.org/activities/simple- machines/

10. REFERENCES http://edheads.org/activities/simple- machines/sm-glossary.htm#y http://edheads.org/activities/simple- machines/sm-glossary.htm#y http://www.livingpictures.org/amishfarms.htm