OBJECTIVES

1. Define work and simple

machine.
2. Identify and describe the
characteristics and uses of
the different types of simple
machines.
 What are needed in
doing work?
A simple machine is
 Force
a device that helps
 Displacement
us to do work more
easily with only one  Energy is the ability to do
work.
movement.  Force is a push or pull on
an object that causes a
change in motion.
 Energy is needed in
order to exert force on
an object.
 Displacement is the
distance and direction
through which an object
moves.
 Work is done when the
force applied to an
object moves the object.
How do simple
machines help us
make work easier?
 It multiplies the
amount of force we
exert in moving an
object.
 It changes the
direction of the
force that we exert.
 It multiplies the
distance an object
moves.
The unit of work is
newton-meter (N • m).
 LEVERS

A lever is a bar that turns about a fixed point called a fulcrum. When using a
lever, a force called effort is exerted to move another force called a load.

There are three

classes of levers.
These classes of
levers differ in the
positions of the effort,
load, and fulcrum.
FIRST (1st ) CLASS LEVER

CHARACTERISTICS FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLES

The fulcrum is located A. To multiply force
between the effort and the (when the fulcrum is closer to the load)
load. B. To multiply distance
(when the fulcrum is closer to the effort)

(A) (B)
SECOND (2nd ) CLASS LEVER

CHARACTERISTICS FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLES

The load is located A. To multiply force
between the effort and the
fulcrum.
THIRD (3rd ) CLASS LEVER

CHARACTERISTICS FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLES

The effort is located A. To multiply distance and speed
between the load and the
fulcrum.
The ability of a machine to multiply
force is called its mechanical
advantage (M.A.).
 PULLEYS
A pulley is a grooved wheel with a rope passing
along the groove. A pulley functions like a first-
class lever. The rope of the pulley acts like the
bar of the lever with the axle as the fulcrum. The
end of the rope that is pulled is the effort while
the end that is attached to the object to be lifted
is the load.

There are three types of

pulleys: fixed, movable,
and block and tackle.
 FIXED

CHARACTERISTICS FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLES

A pulley fixed in position. It To change the direction of a force
cannot move up and down.

When the effort moves down, the load moves

up. The distance covered by the load is the
same as the effort.
 MOVABLE

CHARACTERISTICS FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLES

A pulley that is not fixed in To multiply force
position. It can move up
and down together with the
load.

A small effort lifts a bigger load. The

distance covered by the load is less than
the effort. The load moves in the same
direction as the effort.
 BLOCK AND TACKLE

CHARACTERISTICS FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLES

A combination of fixed and To change the direction of force and multiply force
movable pulleys.

The direction of the force is changed and

a small effort moves a very heavy load.
 WHEEL AND AXLE
A wheel and axle consists of a large wheel attached to a narrow rod called the
axle. Since the wheel is connected to the axle, turning the wheel causes the axle
to turn as well. If you turn the axle, the wheel also turns.
 WHEEL AND AXLE
If the effort is exerted on the wheel, the wheel and axle can multiply force. If the
effort is exerted on the axle, the wheel and axle can multiply speed and distance.
 INCLINED PLANE
An inclined plane is a sloping surface used to move an object to a higher place.
The function of an inclined plane is to multiply force. A heavy load can be raised
easily using an inclined plane. However, the effort needs to cover a longer
distance.

Pushing a heavy box along a ramp

is easier than lifting it straight up.
 WEDGE
How is a typical incline
A wedge is an inclined plane with either one or two plane different from a
sloping sides. wedge?

In order to use a typical

inclined plane in moving an
object along its surface, it
has to be fixed in one
place. A wedge, on the
other hand, is a moving
inclined plane. When a
wedge is used to cut an
object, it moves through
the object.
 SCREW
A screw is another variation of an inclined plane. If you wrap a triangle-shaped
paper around a pencil, a spiral path is formed around the pencil. Thus, a screw is
a spiral inclined plane. The function of a screw is to multiply force and change
the direction of force.

SIMPLE MACHINES Multiplies force
 *only when the fulcrum is
1st Class Lever
closer to the load
Changes the direction of Multiplies distance and
force speed
 *only when the fulcrum is

closer to the effort

2nd Class Lever 

3rd Class Lever 

Fixed Pulley 

Movable Pulley 

Block and Tackle  

 *only when the wheel  *only when the axle turns

Wheel and Axle 
turns the axle the wheel

Inclined Plane  

Wedge  

Screw  