Simple Machines Booklet

Kylee B.
Inclined Plane
● A simple machine that is a sloping surface
● As you can see in this picture the ramp for the truck is used as an inclined
plane to lift heavy boxes into the truck.This makes work easier by increasing
the distance.
Lever
● A solid bar that rotates,Or turns,around a fixed point.
● As you can see in the picture the lever is used to help this woman lift a heavy
rock by Multiplying the input force and changing the direction of the force.
Pulleys
● Wheels and axles with a groove around the outside.
● As you can see below the pulley is helping the man pull up the barrel of water
up in the air by changing the direction of force
Screw
● An inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder or cone to form a spiral
● As you can see in this image The screw in this bottle opener helps turn and
apply force as you turn it
Wedge
● Two inclined planes joined back to back.
● As you can see the axe is used as a wedge to split the wood.
Wheel & Axle
● The axle is stuck rigidly to a large wheel.
● As you can see in the image the wheel and axle are used to bring a bucket of
water out of the well.
Definitions
● Energy-The ability to do work
● Work-Force x distance
● Force-A push or pull
● Machine-Any device that helps people do work
● Complex Machine-made up of two or more simple machines that make your
work easier to do.
● Technology-The use of knowledge to create products or tools that make life
easier.
● Mechanical Advantage-the ratio of the force produced by a machine to the
force applied to it
● Efficiency-the ratio of the useful work performed by a machine or in a process
to the total energy expended or heat taken in.