Simple Machines

Simple Machines

by Joseph Manso

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In ancient Greece a scientist named Archimedes came up with the idea that there are simple machines which can be used to make work easier. These machines could change the direction of movement and could lessen the amount of work needed for moving things. Later, scientists

and artists like Galileo and Da Vinci advanced this idea and came up with the six simple machines we have today: pulley, screw, wheel & axle, lever, wedge, and inclined plane. Almost all modern machines use one or more of these six simple machines

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Pulley

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A pulley is a simple machine that uses a rope over something round, usually a wheel, or a tree branch or whatever works. When one side of the rope is pulled down, the other side goes up. The direction of movement is changed, and the item is easier to lift

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Wheel and Axle

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The wheel and axle is a machine used to help make

lifting objects easier. It is a large wheel with a long cylinder connected at the center of it. When the wheel is spun the cylinder spins with it. If a rope is attached it will roll it around the cylinder, raising or lowering the end of the rope and anything attached to it

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Screw

A screw is a cylinder with threads spiraling down it. A screw turns a twisting motion into straight motion. When a screw is turned into wood the wood is moved up or down in a straight line along the screw and is stopped by the head.

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Wedge

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A wedge is a triangle shaped machine. It can be used to stop or hold things in place. When a wedge is pushed under a door, the diagonal edge pushes up against the bottom of the door and holds it still. A double-wedge is also triangle shaped, but it is used to split wood or separate things. When the triangle is pushed down, its two sides push out diagonally.

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Lever

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A lever is a machine with a board over a fulcrum. By

changing how much of the board is on each the side of the fulcrum it can be made side it will be easier to lift something on the short side. board over a fulcrum. By changing how much of the board is on each side of the fulcrum, it can be made more difficult or easier to lift a weight. If you push down on the long

side, it will be easier to life something on the short side.

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Inclined Plane

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An inclined plane is a board that sits at an angle to the ground. It is used to help raise or lower objects more easily by allowing them to move diagonally instead of up and down.

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Compound Machines

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Simple machines can work together to help solve more complicated tasks. In the example below, a boy uses a fishing pole to catch a fish. He reels in the line with a wheel and axle and pulls it up with a lever, all with the help of a pulley supporting the line

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Rube Goldberg’s Machines

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Rube Goldberg was an American cartoonist in the early 1900s. He became famous making cartoons like the one below. In them a simple or silly task is accomplished in an extremely complicated and humorous way. His machine for a self-operating napkin uses a parrot, alarm clock and fireworks!

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Multiple Choice

Who came up with the idea of making simple machines to make work easier to do? 

• Archimedes  

• Galileo 

• Da Vinci 

Multiple Choice

What simple machine holds things together?

• Wedge

• Screw

• Lever

• Pulley

Multiple Choice

What type of simple machine has a ramp that makes it easier for a heavy object to be moved up or down?

• lever

• pulley

• inclined plane

• wedge

Multiple Choice

What simple machine can be used to split things apart and also can hold a door open?

• Lever

• Pulley

• Wedge

• Screw

Multiple Choice

This picture shows an example of what type simple machine?

• pulley

• wedge

• lever

• wheel and axle

Multiple Choice

What type of simple machine has a ramp that makes it easier for a heavy object to be moved up or down?

• lever

• pulley

• inclined plane

• wedge

Multiple Choice

" Rube Goldberg was an American cartoonist in the early 1900s" 

Is Rube still alive?

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

He became famous for......

• being a scientist

• making cartoon 

Multiple Choice

This is an example of what type of simple machine?

• inclined plane

• wedge

• screw

• lever

Multiple Choice

What type of simple machine makes chopping wood easier?

• inclined plane

• screw

• wedge

• lever

Multiple Choice

What type of simple machine is shown here?

• Pulley

• Wheel and Axle

• Lever

• Wedge

Multiple Choice

A door stop is an example of a

• Screw

• Wedge

• Lever

• Inclined Plane

Multiple Choice

What kind of work is made easier by the wheels of this object?

• pushing a heavy load

• lifting a heavy load

• dividing a heavy load

• holding a small load

Multiple Choice

The ______________ is a flat surface that is raised so one end is higher than the other.

• inclined plane

• lever

• pulley

• wedge

Multiple Choice

The ____________ consists of a rod attached to a wheel, and makes it easier to move or turn things. A door knob is an example of this simple machine.

• lever

• pulley

• wheel and axle

• wedge

Multiple Choice

This simple machine has a stiff bar that moves about a fixed point, called a fulcrum.

• screw

• wheel and axle

• wedge

• lever

Multiple Choice

A ________________ is a combination of two or more

simple machines. Examples include scissors, wheelbarrow,

and a bicycle.

• compound machine

• quarter machine

• simple machine

• complex machine

Multiple Choice

The ______________ is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder or cone. It is mostly used to hold objects together.

• pulley

• lever

• wheel and axle

• screw

Multiple Choice

This picture shows an example of what type simple machine?

• pulley

• wedge

• lever

• wheel and axle

Multiple Choice

A seesaw is an example of what type of simple machine?

• wheel and axle

• lever

• wedge

• pulley

Multiple Choice

This is an example of what type of simple machine?

• inclined plane

• wedge

• screw

• lever

Multiple Choice

Which one is NOT a simple machine?

• pulley

• stick

• lever

• screw

Multiple Choice

What type of simple machine makes chopping wood easier?

• inclined plane

• screw

• wedge

• lever

Multiple Choice

A bicycle is an example of a _________________.

• simple machine

• wheel

• pulley

• compound machine

Multiple Choice

What type of simple machine is shown here?

• Pulley
• Wheel and Axle
• Lever
• Wedge

Multiple Choice

A door stop is an example of a

• Screw
• Wedge
• Lever
• Inclined Plane

Multiple Choice

What kind of work is made easier by the wheels of this object?

• pushing a heavy load

• lifting a heavy load

• dividing a heavy load

• holding a small load

Multiple Choice

The ______________ is a flat surface that is raised so one end is higher than the other.

• inclined plane

• lever

• pulley

• wedge

Multiple Choice

The ____________ consists of a rod attached to a wheel, and makes it easier to move or turn things. A door knob is an example of this simple machine.

• lever

• pulley

• wheel and axle

• wedge

Multiple Choice

This simple machine has a stiff bar that moves about a fixed point, called a fulcrum.

• screw

• wheel and axle

• wedge

• lever

Multiple Choice

A ________________ is a combination of two or more

simple machines. Examples include scissors, wheelbarrow,

and a bicycle.

• compound machine

• quarter machine

• simple machine

• complex machine

Multiple Choice

The ______________ is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder or cone. It is mostly used to hold objects together.

• pulley

• lever

• wheel and axle

• screw