Simple Machines

Mr. Kings Science Classes

Introduction
Simple machines are machines with few or no moving parts. There are 7 main Simple Machines.

Kinds of Simple Machines

We will be learning about the seven simple machines. They are: 1. Lever 2. Inclined Plane 3. Wedge 4. Screw 5. Wheel and Axle 6. Pulley 7. Gears

Energy and Work

Suppose you needed to move an object. You might use tools to help you. Simple machines are tools that use energy to do work. Energy is the ability to do work. You probably have used several of the seven kinds of simple machines.

1. What is a Lever?
A hammer is a lever that helps do work. Work is done whenever force makes an object move.

There are 3 different kinds or classes of levers.

First Class Lever

 First Class Lever

force

 First Class Lever

force

fulcrum

 First Class Lever

force

fulcrum

weight

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
force fulcrum

weight

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
force fulcrum

weight
Requires more force to move the weight but less distance

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
force fulcrum

weight
Requires more force to move the weight but less distance

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
force fulcrum

weight
Requires more force to move the weight but less distance

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
force fulcrum

weight
Requires more force to move the weight but less distance

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
force fulcrum

weight
Requires more force to move the weight but less distance

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
force fulcrum

weight
Requires more force to move the weight but less distance

The weight moves a greater distance than the force.

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
force fulcrum

weight
Requires more force to move the weight but less distance

The weight moves a greater distance than the force.

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight Now you have just the opposite, less force to move the weight but more distance.

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight Now you have just the opposite, less force to move the weight but more distance.

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight Now you have just the opposite, less force to move the weight but more distance.

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight Now you have just the opposite, less force to move the weight but more distance.

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight Now you have just the opposite, less force to move the weight but more distance.

 First Class Lever

By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever change. Here is how:
Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and notice the difference. force fulcrum weight Now you have just the opposite, less force to move the weight but more distance. The weight does not move very much.

Can you guess what would be the dynamics if the fulcrum was directly in the middle?

Can you guess what would be the dynamics if the fulcrum was directly in the middle?
Just a change in direction

Now for the 2nd class lever.

force fulcrum weight

How would changing the position of the weight change the dynamics of this lever?

Now for the 3rd class lever.

force fulcrum weight

How would changing the position of the force change the dynamics of this lever?

2. What is an Inclined Plane?

A ramp is an inclined plane. A ramp helps move objects. You can use an inclined plane to help move an object to a higher or lower place.

What is the mechanical advantage of the ramp or incline plane?

force weight What do you notice about the difference between these two ramps?

What is the mechanical advantage of the ramp or incline plane?

force weight What do you notice about the difference between these two ramps?

What is the mechanical advantage of the ramp or incline plane?

force weight What do you notice about the difference between these two ramps?

What is the mechanical advantage of the ramp or incline plane?

force weight What do you notice about the difference between these two ramps?

What is the mechanical advantage of the ramp or incline plane?

force weight What do you notice about the difference between these two ramps?

What is the mechanical advantage of the ramp or incline plane?

force weight What do you notice about the difference between these two ramps?

What is the mechanical advantage of the ramp or incline plane?

force weight What do you notice about the difference between these two ramps?

What is the mechanical advantage of the ramp or incline plane?

force weight What do you notice about the difference between these two ramps?

What is the mechanical advantage of the ramp or incline plane?

force weight What do you notice about the difference between these two ramps?

What is the trade off between these two ramps?

3. What is a Wedge?
A doorstop is a wedge. A wedge is a simple machine used to push objects apart. An ax is a wedge that splits wood. A wedge could be considered a two sided incline plane.

4. What is a Screw?
A screw is a simple machine used to hold objects together. Think about your desk. Does it have screws helping to hold it together? A screw is an incline plane twisted on itself.

5. What is a Wheel and Axle?

A wheel and axle is a simple machine made of a rod attached to the center of a wheel. The axle, or rod, turns when you put force on the wheel. You probably have seen a wheel and axle on scooters, cars, roller skates, and wagons.

6. What is a Pulley?
A pulley is a simple machine with a wheel and with a rope. The rope fits around the edge of the wheel. You can use a pulley to move a load up, down or sideways.

How do Pulleys Work?

They can change direction of the load.

force weight

How do Pulleys Work?

They can change direction of the load.

force weight

OR

How do Pulleys Work?

Using two different pulleys, with the weight attached to the bottom one with give you a mechanical advantage.

force weight

How do Pulleys Work?

Using two different pulleys, with the weight attached to the bottom one with give you a mechanical advantage.

force weight

This is called a block and tackle. You will use less force to lift the weight but will have to pull more rope.

How do Pulleys Work?

Using two different pulleys, with the weight attached to the bottom one with give you a mechanical advantage.

force weight

This is called a block and tackle. You will use less force to lift the weight but will have to pull more rope.

How do Pulleys Work?

Using two different pulleys, with the weight attached to the bottom one with give you a mechanical advantage.

force weight

This is called a block and tackle. You will use less force to lift the weight but will have to pull more rope.

How do Pulleys Work?

Using two different pulleys, with the weight attached to the bottom one with give you a mechanical advantage.

force weight

This is called a block and tackle. You will use less force to lift the weight but will have to pull more rope.

How do Pulleys Work?

Using two different pulleys, with the weight attached to the bottom one with give you a mechanical advantage.

force weight

This is called a block and tackle. You will use less force to lift the weight but will have to pull more rope.

7. What is a Gear?
Two toothed wheels fit together either directly or through a chain or belt. Some gears may have a screw or a toothed shaft in place of one of the wheels. A gear may also be a combination of toothed wheels that produces a certain speed like in a bicycle.

What This Means

Simple machines are important to us in our daily life. They help us do work. They make our lives easier.