Simple Machines
Types of simple machines:
Pulley
One type of simple machine is a pulley. A pulley consists of a rope or cable that runs through a wheel with grooves. Changing the direction of the force needed to do work is made easier by using a pulley. Flagpoles and drapery rods use pulleys. Heavy objects are best lifted using a block and tackle pulley system. A pulley does not change the amount of work done, but can make the work easier.
Types of Pulleys:
block and tackle, oil derrick, winch, rock climber pulleys, clothesline pulley, marine pulley, steam shovel, flagpole pulley, window blinds
Wheel and axle
A wheel and axle is made up of a circular object, such as a doorknob, and a shaft. A wheel and axle make work easier by reducing the amount of force used to do the work. One example, of a wheel and axle, is a steering wheel. A crank, on a well, is a kind of wheel and axle that reduces the force used to raise the bucket. You are applying less force than you would if you lifted straight up on the rope.
Types of Wheels and Axles:
pencil sharpener, egg beater, record player, fan, rolling pin, wagon, bicycle, door knobs, roller skates, rotary dial telephone, windmill
Lever
A lever is a mechanism in which a rod like item rotates around a fixed pivot point, also known as a fulcrum. The direction of force is changed by using a lever. A see-saw is an example of what a lever is. Levers are found in many everyday things such as clothespins, wheelbarrows, and pliers.
Types of Levers
scissors, hoe, bat, can opener, teeter-totter, fork, toilet flusher, spatula, rake, clippers, stapler, crowbar
Inclined Planes
Another type of simple machine is an inclined plane. An inclined plane is a flat surface that has one end higher than the other. An example, of an inclined plane, would be a handicap ramp or a doorstop. Pushing a box up on an inclined plane to a higher surface is much easier than lifting the box. Using the inclined plane covers more distance, but a smaller amount of force is used.
Types of Inclined Planes:
roller coaster, parking ramp, hill with cable car, bath tub, car ramps, stairs, boat propeller, ladders, dump truck
Wedges
Wedges are tools that are triangular. One example of a wedge is a doorstop. A wedge is a simple machine used to separate objects, or portions of objects, through the application of force. A wedge is made up of two inclined planes. These planes meet and form a sharp edge. This edge can split things apart. A wedge is an object with at least one slanting side ending in a sharp edge, which can force things apart.
Types of Wedges:
floor nail, pins, old knitting needles, shark tooth, car tire wedge, chisels, iron wedge (sledge hammer)
Screws
A screw is a type of inclined plane that wraps around a cylinder. The sharp edges that are created become a simple tool. A screw makes work easier by going into and through a solid object such as a piece of wood. A screw is designed to be inserted into an object by rotating and fastening things together. The power of a screw is how close together the threads of a screw are.
Types of screws:
brace and bits, meat grinder, submarine hatch, screw lid jar, drills, machine screws, swivel piano stool, door lock, wooden handled corkscrew
Pulley
One type of simple machine is a pulley. A pulley consists of a rope or cable that runs through a wheel with grooves. Changing the direction of the force needed to do work is made easier by using a pulley. Flagpoles and drapery rods use pulleys. Heavy objects are best lifted using a block and tackle pulley system. A pulley does not change the amount of work done, but can make the work easier.
Types of Pulleys:
block and tackle, oil derrick, winch, rock climber pulleys, clothesline pulley, marine pulley, steam shovel, flagpole pulley, window blinds
Wheel and axle
A wheel and axle is made up of a circular object, such as a doorknob, and a shaft. A wheel and axle make work easier by reducing the amount of force used to do the work. One example, of a wheel and axle, is a steering wheel. A crank, on a well, is a kind of wheel and axle that reduces the force used to raise the bucket. You are applying less force than you would if you lifted straight up on the rope.
Types of Wheels and Axles:
pencil sharpener, egg beater, record player, fan, rolling pin, wagon, bicycle, door knobs, roller skates, rotary dial telephone, windmill
Lever
A lever is a mechanism in which a rod like item rotates around a fixed pivot point, also known as a fulcrum. The direction of force is changed by using a lever. A see-saw is an example of what a lever is. Levers are found in many everyday things such as clothespins, wheelbarrows, and pliers.
Types of Levers
scissors, hoe, bat, can opener, teeter-totter, fork, toilet flusher, spatula, rake, clippers, stapler, crowbar
Inclined Planes
Another type of simple machine is an inclined plane. An inclined plane is a flat surface that has one end higher than the other. An example, of an inclined plane, would be a handicap ramp or a doorstop. Pushing a box up on an inclined plane to a higher surface is much easier than lifting the box. Using the inclined plane covers more distance, but a smaller amount of force is used.
Types of Inclined Planes:
roller coaster, parking ramp, hill with cable car, bath tub, car ramps, stairs, boat propeller, ladders, dump truck
Wedges
Wedges are tools that are triangular. One example of a wedge is a doorstop. A wedge is a simple machine used to separate objects, or portions of objects, through the application of force. A wedge is made up of two inclined planes. These planes meet and form a sharp edge. This edge can split things apart. A wedge is an object with at least one slanting side ending in a sharp edge, which can force things apart.
Types of Wedges:
floor nail, pins, old knitting needles, shark tooth, car tire wedge, chisels, iron wedge (sledge hammer)
Screws
A screw is a type of inclined plane that wraps around a cylinder. The sharp edges that are created become a simple tool. A screw makes work easier by going into and through a solid object such as a piece of wood. A screw is designed to be inserted into an object by rotating and fastening things together. The power of a screw is how close together the threads of a screw are.
Types of screws:
brace and bits, meat grinder, submarine hatch, screw lid jar, drills, machine screws, swivel piano stool, door lock, wooden handled corkscrew