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Science Simple Machines

Simple machines are devices with few moving parts that make work easier. They include the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley. These simple machines provide mechanical advantages like making lifting easier over a longer distance or cutting through materials using less force. More complex machines often combine two or more simple machines to perform tasks.

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Jai Sawhney
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49 views

Science Simple Machines

Simple machines are devices with few moving parts that make work easier. They include the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley. These simple machines provide mechanical advantages like making lifting easier over a longer distance or cutting through materials using less force. More complex machines often combine two or more simple machines to perform tasks.

Uploaded by

Jai Sawhney
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to

Simple Machines
What are they?

Simple machines are machines


with few or no moving parts
that are used to make work easier
Types of Simple Machines
Wedge

Wheel and Axle

Lever

Inclined Plane

Screw

Pulley
Wedge

• Pushes materials apart, cuts things


• Examples: axe, doorstop, chisel,
nail, saw, jackhammer, bulldozer,
snow plow, horse plow, zipper,
scissors, airplane wing, knife, fork,
bow of a boat or ship
Wheel and Axle
• Makes it easy to move things by rolling them,
and reducing friction
• Examples: car, bicycle, office chair,
wheel barrow, shopping cart,
hand truck, roller skates
Lever
• Makes lifting weight easier by using a fulcrum
to redirect force over a longer distance
• Examples: see-saw, dump truck, broom, crane
arm, hammer claw, crow bar, fishing pole,
screwdriver, bottle opener
Inclined Plane
• Makes it easier to move objects upward,
but you have to go further horizontally
• Examples: highway or sidewalk ramp,
stairs, inclined conveyor belts, switchback
roads or trails
Screw
• Turns rotation into lengthwise movement
• Takes many twists to go a short distance
• Holds things together
• Examples: screws, bolts, clamps, jar lids,
car jack, spinning stools, spiral staircases
Pulley
• Makes lifting things with a rope easier
by redirecting force and the addition
of additional pulleys
• Examples: flag pole, elevator, sails,
fishing nets, clothes lines, cranes,
window shades and blinds, rock
climbing gear
Why Use Simple Machines?
For the mechanical advantage…
• Making something easier to do,
but it takes a little longer to do it
• For example, going up a longer flight
of stairs instead of going straight up a
ladder
Complex Machines
• Combining two or more simple machines
to work together
• Examples:
– Car jack combines wedge and screw
– Crane or tow truck combines lever and pulley
– Wheel barrow combines wheel and axle
with a lever
Summary
Wedge Pushes material apart, cuts
Wheel Makes it easy to move things
and Axle by rolling them, and reducing friction
Helps lift heavy weights
Lever
using longer distances
Inclined Makes it easier to move objects upward;
Plane a longer path, but easier lifting
Screw Turns rotation into lengthwise movement
Pulley Makes lifting heavy weights easier
by redirecting force

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