HoChiMinh City University of Technology and Education

Faculty of Foreign Languages

HoChiMinh City 02-2021

1. Hand tools .............................................................................................. 01

2. Simple machines .......................................................................................

3. Mechanisms ................................................................................................

4. Forces.............................................................................................................

5. Technology in use .....................................................................................

6. Materials technology ...............................................................................

7. Components and assemblies ...............................................................

8. Breaking point............................................................................................

9. Procedures and Precautions ................................................................

Introduction
Machines don’t always have to be complicated, in fact we use simple machines every
day. They help us lift, pull, transport, and hold objects together. Without these very
basic machines our lives would be a whole lot harder.
The most basic machines are called simple machines. They are the inclined plane, the
wedge, the lever, the wheel and axle, the screw, and the pulley. Simple machines change
the strength or direction of a force, such as a push or pull.

Simple machines
Inclined Plane
Inclined planes make it easier to lift something. Think of
a ramp. Engineers use ramps to easily move objects to a
greater height. There are two ways to raise an object: by
lifting it straight up, or by pushing it diagonally up.
Lifting an object straight up moves it over the shortest
distance, but you must exert a greater force. On the other
hand, using an inclined plane requires a smaller force,
but you must exert it over a longer distance.
Everyday examples of inclined planes include highway access ramps, sidewalk ramps,
stairs, inclined conveyor belts, and switchback roads or trails.
Wedge
The wedge is a simple machine that forces objects or
substances apart by applying force to a large surface area on
the wedge, with that force magnified to a smaller area on the
wedge to do the actual work. A nail is a common wedge with
a wide nail head area where the force is applied, and a small
point area where the concentrated force is exerted. The force
is magnified at the point, enabling the nail to pierce wood. As the nail sinks into the
wood, the wedge shape at the point of the nail moves forward, and forces the wood
apart.
Everyday examples of wedges include an axe, nail, doorstop, chisel, saw, jackhammer,
zipper, bulldozer, snow plow, horse plow, zipper, airplane wing, knife, fork and bow of
a boat or ship.
Wheel and Axle
The wheel and axle is a simple machine that reduces the
friction involved in moving an object, making the object
easier to transport. When an object is pushed, the force of
friction must be overcome to start it moving. Once the
object is moving, the force of friction opposes the force
exerted on the object. The wheel and axle makes this
easier by reducing the friction involved in moving an
object. The wheel rotates around an axle (essentially a rod that goes through the wheel,
letting the wheel turn), rolling over the surface and minimizing friction. Imagine trying
to push a 9,000-kilogram (~10-ton) block of stone. Wouldn't it be easier to roll it along
using logs placed underneath the stone?
Everyday examples of the wheel and axle include a car, bicycle, office chair, wheel
barrow, shopping cart, hand truck and roller skates.
Lever
A lever simple machine consists of a load, a fulcrum
and effort (or force). The load is the object that is
moved or lifted. The fulcrum is the pivot point, and the
effort is the force required to lift or move the load. By
exerting a force on one end of the lever (the applied
force), a force at the other end of the lever is created.
The applied force is either increased or decreased,
depending on the distance from the fulcrum (the point or support on which a lever
pivots) to the load, and from the fulcrum to the effort.
Everyday examples of levers include a teeter-totter or see-saw, crane arm, crow bar,
hammer (using the claw end), fishing pole and bottle opener. Think of a how you use a
crowbar. By pushing down on the long end of the crowbar, a force is created at the load
end over a smaller distance, once again, demonstrating the tradeoff between force and
distance.
Screw
A screw is essentially an inclined
plane wrapped around a shaft. Screws have two primary
functions: they hold things together, or they lift objects.
A screw is good for holding things together because of
the threading around the shaft. The threads grip the
surrounding material like teeth, resulting in a secure
hold; the only way to remove a screw is to unwind it. A
car jack is an example of a screw being used to lift
something.
Everyday examples of screws include a screw, bolt, clamp, jar lid, car jack, spinning
stool and spiral staircase.
Pulley
A pulley is a simple machine used to change the direction of a
force. Think of raising a flag or lifting a heavy stone. To lift a
stone up into its place on a pyramid, one would have to exert a
force that pulls it up. By using a pulley made from a grooved
wheel and rope, one can pull down on the rope, capitalizing on
the force of gravity, to lift the stone up. Even more valuable, a system of several pulleys
can be used together to reduce the force needed to lift an object.
Everyday examples of pulleys in use include flag poles, elevators, sails, fishing nets,
clothes lines, cranes, window shades and blinds, and rock climbing gear.

Compound Machines
A compound
machine is a
device that
combines two or
more simple machines.
For example, a wheelbarrow combines the use of a wheel and axle with a lever. Using
the six basic simple machines, all sorts of compound machines can be made. There are
many simple and compound machines in your home and classroom. Some examples of
the compound machines you may find are a can opener (wedge and lever), exercise
machines/cranes/tow trucks (levers and pulleys), shovel (lever and wedge), car jack
(lever and screw), wheel barrow (wheel and axle and lever) and bicycle (wheel and axle
and pulley)
Task 1. Vocabulary

Find the word in the text to fill the table.

Word Definition
1. ______________ a. something that makes work easier, faster, or better
2. ______________ b. when a force moves an object
3. ______________ c. a push or pull
4. ______________ d. any flat surface
5. ______________ e. a plane that has one end higher than the other
6. ______________ f. a bar that pivots around a fulcrum
7. ______________ g. the point on which a lever rests
8. ______________ h. a wheel with an axle through its center to move
9. ______________ loads

10. ______________ i. a force that slows objects down when they rub
against each other
j. wheels with teeth that fit together

Task 2. Reading
Read the text and answer the questions.
1. What is a machine?
2. What is a simple machine?
3. How many kinds of simple machines are there? What are they?
4. What is a complex machine? Give examples.
5. What kind of simple machine has a wheel with a groove for a rope that is used
for lifting
6. What kind of simple machines needs a fulcrum?
7. What are parts of a pulley?
8. What happens when you push down on one end of a lever?
9. Which kind of simple machines is a flagpole, a bottle opener?
10. What has two inclined planes that come to a point to make lifting or splitting
easier
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