Simple Machines

SOL 3.2
By Ms. Weinberg
Adapted by K. Green
ITRT – Suffolk City Schools
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 Simple machines are tools used
to make work easier.

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 You have probably used some simple
machines, but did not realize that they
were actually called simple machines!

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 Simple machines do not make less work;
they just make it easier to do work.

It would be hard to cut this

wood without the saw!

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 There are 6 different types of
simple machines:

•(1)lever •(4)wheel & axle

•(2)screw •(5)inclined plane

•(3)pulley •(6)wedge

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 6 Simple Machines
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 (1) LEVER

A lever is a stiff bar that moves about a

fixed point (fulcrum).

A lever is used to push, pull, or lift things.

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 A shovel is an example of a lever.

A seesaw is another example of a lever.

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 (2) SCREW

A screw is an inclined plane wrapped

around a cylinder or cone.

A common use of the screw is to hold

objects together.

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 A jar lid and a wood screw are examples of
a screw.

So far we have learned about 2 types of simple

machines: levers & screws….

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 (3) PULLEY
A pulley is a wheel that has a rope wrapped
around it.

Pulleys can be used to lift heavy objects by

changing the direction or amount of the
force.
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 A flagpole uses a pulley to raise the flag.

Now we have learned about 3 types of simple

machines: levers, screws, and pulleys…..

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 (4) WHEEL & AXLE

A wheel & axle consists of a rod attached to

a wheel.

A wheel & axle makes it easier to move or

turn things.

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 A bicycle wheel, roller skates, and a doorknob
are all examples of a wheel & axle.

We now know about 4 types of simple machines:

levers, screws, pulleys, and wheels & axles.
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 (5) INCLINED PLANE
An inclined plane is a flat surface that is
raised so that one end is higher than the
other.

An inclined plane helps move heavy

objects up or down.

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 A ramp is an example of an inclined plane.

Let’s add inclined plane to our list of simple

machines (along with levers, screws, pulleys, and
wheels & axles).
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 (6) WEDGE
A wedge is wide at one end and pointed at
the other to help cut or split other objects.

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 Examples of wedges: a knife or an ax

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 Now you know about the 6 types of simple
machines:

(4) WHEEL &

(1) LEVER AXLE

(2) SCREW
(5)
(3) PULLEY INCLINED
PLANE
(6) WEDGE
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 Simple Machine
Video & Quiz

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 Simple Machine Websites
• Information
• More Links & Information
• EdHead
– Click the Green, Start Box
• DirtMeister
– Simple Machines
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 These simple machines make work easier!
Can you Name them?

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©A. Weinberg