Understanding Forces and Simple Machines

What is required to change the motion of an object?

• An increase in mass

• A change in temperature

• A force, which can be a push or a pull

• A decrease in speed

Which of the following is an example of a simple machine?

• A refrigerator

• A computer

• A catapult

• A bicycle

How does a lever magnify force?

• By increasing the weight of the load

• By decreasing the distance to the fulcrum

• By reducing friction

• By increasing the distance to the fulcrum

What happens when the fulcrum is closer to the force than to the load in a lever?

• The lever becomes less effective

• The force is reduced

• The force is magnified

• The load is moved slower

What is the result of applying a larger force to a catapult?

• The object travels a shorter distance

• The object moves in a circular path

• The object travels a farther distance

• The object remains stationary