SIMPLE MACHINES

HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL SCIENCE

WORK AND POWER (PAGE 210-215)

Work is done when a force causes an object to move in the direction of the force
Energy transfer, typically in the form of kinetic energy
Work is done on an object only if force makes the object move in a direction that is parallel to the
force
Work is measured in Joules (J) and calculated as W= F x D, where F is force in Newtons and D is
distance in meters

Power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transformed

Power is measured in watts (J/s, shown as W) and calculated as P= W/t
You can increase power by:
Increasing force and decreasing time
 SIMPLE MACHINES (PG 216-228)
A machine is a device that makes work easier by changing the size or direction of a force
The work you do on a machine is called work input, where the work done by the machine is
called work output
Machines allow less force to be applied for the same amount of work
Mechanical advantage (MA) is the number of times the machine multiplies force OR compares
input to output
MA= output force/input force
Mechanical efficiency (ME) is a comparison of a machines work output with the work input
ME= work output/work input x 100 (because ME is expressed as a percentage)
ME tells you what PERCENTAGE of the work input gets converted into work output
Is there such a thing as perfect efficiency?
An ideal machine would have 100% mechanical efficiency
Unfortunately, this is impossible because most machines have moving parts and machines have to put
forth work to overcome friction
 SECTION REVIEW ANSWERS
1. Work input is the work done on a machine. Work output is the work done by a machine
2. Mechanical advantage is the number of times a machine multiples force. Mechanical efficiency
measures the ratio of work output to work input
3. B- output force/input force
4. A ramp allows you to lift something by pushing it a longer distance using less force
5. ANSWERS WILL VARY- an elevator; its work output could be measured by the weight and distance
the load is carried upward, and its work input could be measured by the electrical energy it uses to
do that work. You would then divide the work output by the work input and multiple by 100 to get a
percentage: the mechanical efficiency
6. Machines have moving parts in which friction causes energy input to be lost as heat
7. MA = 300 N / 60 N = 5
8. ME = (30 J/100J) x 100 = 30%
9. SAMPLE: The output force would be applied through a distance 1/3 that of the distance that the input
force is applied
10. SAMPLE: Lubricants decrease the frition in a machine, thereby allowing more of the work input to be
converted to work output
 IMA OF SIMPLE MACHINES
IMA is ideal mechanical advantage and AMA is actual mechanical
advantage
Levers: A bar that pivots around a fixed point called a fulcrum
1st class: the fulcrum is between the input force and the load (like a seesaw or
balance)
2nd class: the load is between the fulcrum (wheelbarrow, bottle opener for
NONALCOHOLIC drinks)
3rd class: the input force is between the fulcrum and the load (hammer)
Pulleys: Consists of a grooved wheel that holds a rope or cable
Fixed: Does not move but you can move the rope to lift the load up and down (IMA =
1)
Moveable: Moves with the load (IMA = 2)
Block and tackle: Fixed and moveable used together (IMA = 4)
IMA OF SIMPLE MACHINES
Wheel and Axle: two circular objects of two different sizes (doorknobs, wrenches, steering
wheel)
MA: Divide the radius of the wheel by the radius of the axle
MA is greater than 1
Inclined planes: a straight, slanted surface (ramp)
MA: Divide the length of the inclined plane by the height
Wedges: a pair of inclined planes that move (knife)
MA: longer, thinner wedge= more mechanical advantage
Screws: an inclined plane wrapped in a spiral around a cylinder
MA: the longer the spiral is on a screw and the closer together the threads are, the greater
mechanical advantage