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Science
Quarter 3 - Module 3
Characteristics and
Uses of Simple
Machines
 What’s New

Directions: Sing it!

Simple Machines
(to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)

Simple, simple, simple machines

They can help us to do anything
Pulley, lever, wedge and screw
Inclined plane, wheel and axle

Now I know the simple machines

They can make our work easier.

What is It

Simple Machines
Characteristics and Uses

What do we usually use when we want to cut paper, open a bottle of soft drinks, or
slice a piece of cake?

One of the most important reasons why us human beings had become the most
successful species on Earth is due to our mastery of tools and simple machines.

Simple machines are tools that make work easier. It allows the user to accomplish
more work while expending less energy.

Basically, the amount of work that you would need to put into a job is lessen by using
one of these machines.

Simple machines make our life easier every day. Take a look around and see what
other great examples of simple machines you can find inside your house.

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Types of Simple Machines

1. Pulley – consists of a string or rope wrapped around a wheel with one end of the
string attached to an object and the other end attached to a person or a motor. A
pulley is used to lift something up specially to lift the heavy objects. An effort is a
part of pulley where the force is applied and the load is the object which is being
applied by the force exerted.

Examples: window blinds, flagpoles, zipline, crane

Effort

Load

Figure 2. General Parts of a Pulley

2. Lever - a device consisting the fixed movable point called the fulcrum, a force that
lifts the load called effort and the force that is being lifted by the effort called load.
Lever make it easier to lift heavy materials, remove tight objects and cut items.

Examples: broom, bottle opener, can opener, seesaw, scissors

Load Effort

Fulcrum
Figure 3. Parts of a Lever

3. Wedge - a double inclined plane that is sharpened to an end. It can be used to

separate two objects or portions of an object, lift an object, or hold an object in place.
The thinner the wedge is, the lesser effort is needed to cut objects.

Examples: fork, knife, peeler, nail, pin, needle

Figure 4. Axe

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4. Wheel and Axle – consists of a round disk, known as a wheel, with a rod through
the center of it, known as the axle. It is a type of lever that moves in a circle around a
fulcrum. It has many uses in our daily lives. Cars, pencil sharpeners, fans, and in-line
skates all use the wheel and axle.

Examples: electric fan, doorknob, wheelbarrow, pushcart

Figure 5. Bicycle

5. Inclined Plane – a flat surface with one end higher than the other. It allows for heavy
objects to slide up to a higher point rather than be lifted. It has a sloping surface
used to lift an object. Lifting the object using an inclined plane means you use less
force to do work.

Examples: ladder, stairs, slanted roof, ramp, slide

ramp

Figure 6. Ramp

6. Screw – a simple machine with threaded surface and a point on one end and a
slotted head which holds or fasten two things together. The spiral ridges are referred
to as thread and the distance each thread is referred to as pitch.

Examples: jar lid, light bulb, bottle caps, faucet

thread
pitch

Figure 7. Screw

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 What’s More

Independent Activity 1

Directions: Match the simple machines in Column A with their correct description
in Column B. Write your answers in your answer sheet.

Column A Column B
1. inclined plane a. it has a sloping surface
2. lever b. device consists of fulcrum, effort and load
3. wedge c. a modified wheel and axle
4. screw d. it has a wheel that is fixed to the axle
5. pulley e. used to fasten two things together
6. wheel and axle f. double inclined plane sharpened
to an end

Independent Assessment 1

Directions: Find the ten (10) examples of simple machines in the puzzle. Write the answers
in your answer sheet.

S E E S A W N C M I B N Z

L R O R X N B P L B I D I

I T E R Z V T T R J K Z P

D J F E C D G T T G E X L

E K N E E D L E W P H W I

F P P S H C Y R T L M R N

J P L I E R S T Y U J O E

S O O G H A S C R E W L J

E Y R S F M G Y F J K L W

Y K J L O P Y R C R A N E

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Independent Activity 2

Directions: Look at the pictures below and identify whether the following simple machines
are Pulley, Inclined Plane, Lever, Wedge, Wheel and Axle or Screw. Write your
answers in your answer sheet.

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.

Independent Assessment 2

Directions: Classify the following simple machines. Place them under their proper column.
Write your answers in your answer sheet.

bike bottle caps flagpole ladder stairs

blinds bottle opener hammer pins wheelchair

Wheel and Inclined

Pulley Lever Wedge Screw
Axle Plane

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Independent Activity 3

Directions: Let us do the experiment!

MAKE IT EASY!

I. Problem: What makes your work easier?

II. Materials:
cardboard
box of shoes (or any box available at home)
toy car
stopwatch
III. Procedures:
1. Prepare all the needed materials.
2. Place the cardboard on the box of shoes one end higher than the other end.
3. Put the toy car on the higher end of the board and release it. Take the time it takes to
reach the ground.
4. Now, place the cardboard in a flat surface and put the toy on the other end of the
cardboard and release it. Take the time it takes to reach the other end.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 thrice.
6. Complete the table below and answer the guide questions.

Table 1. Data on the Experiment

TIME
Toy car released (seconds)
when… Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
1. cardboard is inclined
on the box of
shoes
2. cardboard is in a flat
surface

Guide Questions:
1. On what situation did the toy car move faster?
2. What type of simple machine did you use?

Independent Assessment 3

Directions: Look around your home, garden, or neighborhood of the machines that you see.
List down all the things that you think are examples of a simple machine. Write
your answers in your answer sheet.
Home: Garden: Neighbourhood:
1. ____________ 5. ___________ 8. ____________
2. ____________ 6. ___________ 9. ____________
3. ____________ 7. ___________ 10. ____________
4. ____________