Name ___________________

SOL 4.2 Simple and Compound Machines

NOTE - Simple machines are NOT included in the 5th REVISED Science Standards

Simple Machine:
A machine with few or no moving parts. Simple machines make work
easier.
Examples: Screw, Wheel and Axle, Wedge, Pulley, Inclined Plane,
Lever

Compound Machine:
Two or more simple machines working together to make work easier.
Examples: Wheelbarrow, Can Opener, Bicycle

Inclined plane:
A sloping surface, such as a ramp. Makes lifting heavy loads easier.
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.
Examples: Staircase, Ramp

Lever:
A straight rod or board that pivots on a point known as a fulcrum.
Pushing down on one end of a lever results in the upward motion of
the opposite end of the fulcrum.
Examples: Door on Hinges, Seesaw, Hammer, Bottle Opener

Pulley:
A wheel that usually has a groove around the outside edge for a rope
or belt. Pulling down on the rope can lift an object attached to the
rope. Work is made easier because pulling down on the rope is made
easier due to gravity.
Examples: Flag Pole, Crane, Mini-Blinds
Screw:
An inclined plane wrapped around a shaft or cylinder. This inclined
plane allows the screw to move itself or to move an object or material
surrounding it when rotated.
Examples: Bolt, Spiral Staircase

Wedge:
Two inclined planes joined back to back. Wedges are used to split
things.
Examples: Axe, Knife

Wheel and Axle:

A larger wheel (or wheels) connected to a smaller axle. When the
axle is turned, the wheel moves a greater distance than the axle, but
less force is needed to move it. Example: Door Knob, Wagon, Toy
Car, screwdriver

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 Simple Machines
NAME THE HOW THEY EXAMPLES – Fill in
SIMPLE WHAT IT IS MAKE WORK the examples from the
MACHINE EASIER list below

_____ _________
_______________
A stiff bar that rests on a support Lifts or moves
___________ called a __ ________ ____ loads _______________
_______________

_____ _________
_______________
A slanting surface connecting a Makes lifting
__________ lower level to a higher level easier _______________
_______________

_____ _________
A wheel with a rod, called an _______________
Lifts or moves
_______ _______ _ through its center:
loads _______________
Both parts move together
_______________

_____ _________
_______________
An inclined plane wrapped Holds things
______ around a pole together or lifts _______________
_______________

_____ _________
_______________
A grooved wheel with a Moves things up,
_______ _ ________ or cable around it down, or across _______________
_______________

_____ _________
An object with at least one _______ or _______________
________ _ slanting side ending in a sharp spreads an object
_______________
edge apart
_______________

bolt, shovel, nail, mini-blind cord, screw, pencil sharpener crank, flag pole, slide, ax, doorknob,
pin, seesaw, crowbar, corkscrew, skateboard, bottle opener, bike wheel, sloped driveway, jar lid,
tow truck, stairs, knife, wheelchair ramp, crane

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Under each item, write the name of the simple machine it uses

The wheelbarrow is a compound machine. Which

two simple machines does it use?
________ _____________
____________________

3
 The bike is a
__compound____________
machine. Name and circle at
least four simple machines in
this bike.
____________
_____________
_____________
______________

1. Machines help us work: 5. An inclined plane: has a slanted

a. efficiently surface. It is used to move things
b. frequently from a low place to a high place.
Some are smooth and others have
2. Simple machines have: steps.
a. few or no moving parts
b. many moving parts Which is not an inclined plane?
a. stairs
3. Name the six types of simple b. a ramp
machines. c. a ladder
a. ______ d. a roof
b. ______ e. a knife
c. ______
d. ______ 6. On a wheel and axle, the wheel is
e. ______ connected to a center post called
f. ______ an axle. Turning the lager wheel
makes turning the axle easier .
4. A lever: is used to lift or move Which is not a wheel and axle?
things. Which is NOT a lever? a. doorknob
a. shovel b. screwdriver handle
b. broom c. pencil sharpener handle,
c. ramp d. hammer
d. bottle opener e. bike peddle
e. hammer
7. A wedge is made of two inclined
planes joined together to make a
sharp edge. It’s used for cutting
or spreading things. Some are
pointed. Which is not a wedge?
a. knife
b. broom
c. axe

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 d. needle
e. nail

8. A screw is a twisted inclined

plane. A screw: 14. Which ramp requires a greater
a. can be used to hold two distance but less force?
pieces of wood together a. A
b. is used to cut or split b. B
things c. C

9. A pulley can be used: 15. What is the purpose of a simple

a. to hoist a flag machine?
b. to tow a car a. to change potential
c. both energy into kinetic energy
b. to produce inertia
10. A machine that is a combination c. to make work easier and
of two or more simple machines use less force
is a: d. to test force
a. compound machine
b. complex machine 16. What is the term used to describe
the tendency of objects to remain
11. Machines that are made of many at rest or in motion?
compound machines are: a. inertia
a. complex machines b. force
b. compiled machines
17. Which could cause an object to
12. Which is not a compound move?
machine? a. friction
a. bike b. inertia
b. wheelbarrow c. a force
c. eggbeater
d. car 18. Which has the greatest inertia?
a. a book
13. Which is not a complex machine b. a car
a. car c. a truck
b. vacuum cleaner
c. wheelbarrow 19. An object with _____ will have
d. airplane more inertia.
a. greater volume
b. greater mass
c. greater height

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 26. Which store chemical potential
20. Inertia--Unless acted on by a energy? Circle all
force, objects in motion tend to a. fossil fuels
stay in motion and objects at rest b. batteries
remain at rest. What kind of c. food
force might stop or slow a d. electricity
moving object? e. wind
a. friction
b. gravity 27. Kinetic energy is:
c. hitting another object a. the energy of motion
d. all of the above b. stored energy

21. If you are trying to push a wagon 28. Which has more potential
filled with bricks, the hardest part energy?
will be getting it started. Once a. an apple hanging from a
it’s moving it will be easier to high branch
push. This happens because of : b. a falling apple
a. friction
b. inertia 29. Can energy be created or
c. potential energy destroyed?
d. kinetic energy a. yes
b. no
22. The resistance to motion created
by two objects rubbing against 30. The source of all forms of energy
each other is called: is:
a. friction a. electricity
b. inertia b. lightning
c. the sun
23. True or False -
Friction creates heat.

24. Why is oil added to a car’s

engine?
a. to increase inertia
b. to reduce inertia
c. to increase friction
d. to reduce friction

25. Why do people put sand under a

car wheel when it is spinning on
ice?
a. to increase kinetic energy
b. to increase friction
between the tires and the
ice
c. to make the wheel spin
more