Introduction to Simple Machines

Simple Machines

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What is a Simple Machine?

Machines are all around us. A machine is something that makes it easier for us to do work such as moving heavy objects.

A simple machine has few or no moving parts.

Machines are used to modify motion and force in order to perform work.

The simple machines are the inclined plane, lever, wheel and axle, pulley, screw and wedge.

Mechanical Advantage is how much easier the machine makes the work.

Multiple Choice

What is a Simple Machine?

• They are machines

• They are with 1 or 2 parts, help us make work easier

• They are composed of 3 or more parts

How machines work?

Machines transfer mechanical energy from one object to another.

Change a direction of a force.

Change the amount of force

Change the distance or speed of a force.

The larger the mechanical advantage... the easier a machine makes your work.

We have 6 types of Simple Machines

Lever

Pulley

Wheel and Axle

Inclined Plane

Wedge

Screw

Lever

It is a bar that rests on a fixed support called fulcrum. It is used to lift things.

Pulley

It decreases the amount the force that is needed to lift heavy objects.

Wheel and Axle

It has a wheel attached to a post called axle.

Inclined Plane

It is a slanted surface that connects a lower level with a higher level.

Wedge

It has 2 Slanted slides that end in a Sharp edge. It is used to divide

Screw

It is an inclined plane wrapped around a centre post.

Multiple Choice

How many types of simple machines are there?

• 4

• 6

• 1

• 7

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a lever?

Multiple Choice

This mouse is using which simple machine to chop down a tree?

• wheel and axle
• wedge
• inclined plane
• pulley

Multiple Choice

A playground slide is an example of which simple machine?

• pulley
• wedge
• inclined plane
• screw

Multiple Choice

What type of simple machine is this?

• Pulley
• Screw
• Inclined Plane
• Lever

Multiple Choice

How can you make an inclined plane more efficient?

• cover it with a rough material

• make it face the opposite direction

• increase the height

• increase the length

Multiple Choice

A lever is designed to:

• reduce the amount of force required to do work
• increase the amount of effort required
• increase the amount of energy needed to work

Multiple Choice

Two examples of a pulley...

• knife & axe blade
• lightbulb & screw
• flagpole hoist & window blinds
• catapult & teeter totter

Multiple Choice

Which choice is an example of an inclined plane?

• A ramp

• Bottle opener

• Bottle Cap

• Ferris Wheel

Multiple Choice

The fixed point on the lever is called 

• load
• resistance
• bar
• fulcrum

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

Which simple machine doesn't move and a heavy object can be rolled or pushed up this machine?

• wheel and axle
• inclined plane
• wedge
• screw

Multiple Choice

What simple machine has a wheel with a groove on it that keeps a rope in place?

• pulley
• lever
  lever
• screw
  wedge
• wedge
  screw

Multiple Choice

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

• Lever
• Pulley
• Wedge
• Screw

Multiple Choice

Which type of simple machine would be found on the bottom of a wagon??

• a pulley
• a screw
• a wedge
• a wheel and axle

Multiple Choice

Which is a characteristic of a simple machine?

• They run on electricity.
• They take a long time to make.
• They have few or no moving parts.
• They are not very large.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of someone using a simple machine to do work?

• a boy runs across a football field
• a banker counts money
• a mother pushes a stroller up a ramp
• a girl eats a sandwich

Multiple Choice

Which of these is not an example of an inclined plane?

• ladder
• stairs
• wall
• driveway

Multiple Choice

A screw is made up of _____ wrapped around a post or rod.

• threads
• springs
• treads
• strings

Multiple Choice

What type of simple machine is found on the cap of a pickle jar?

• lever
• inclined plane
• pulley
• screw

Multiple Choice

work is...

• energy from the sun
• a type of machine
• a force that moves an object
• a force that pulls you toward the earh

Multiple Choice

Which is not a type of simple machine?

• spring
• screw
• pulley
• wedge