Simple Machines

Mr. King’s Science Classes

Introduction
 Simple machines are machines with few or
no moving parts.
 There are 7 main Simple Machines.
Kinds of Simple Machines
 We will be learning about the seven simple
machines. They are:
 1. Lever
 2. Inclined Plane
 3. Wedge
 4. Screw
 5. Wheel and Axle
 6. Pulley
 7. Gears
Energy and Work
 Suppose you needed to move an object.
You might use tools to help you. Simple
machines are tools that use energy to do
work.
 Energy is the ability to do work.
 You probably have used several of the
seven kinds of simple machines.
1. What is a Lever?
 A hammer is a lever that helps do work.
 Work is done whenever force makes an
object move.
There are 3 different kinds or
“classes” of levers.
• First Class Lever
• First Class Lever

force
• First Class Lever

force

fulcrum
• First Class Lever

force

fulcrum

weight
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
force

fulcrum

weight
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
force

fulcrum

weight

Requires
more force
to move the
weight but
less distance
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
force

fulcrum

weight

Requires
more force
to move the
weight but
less distance
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
force

fulcrum

weight

Requires
more force
to move the
weight but
less distance
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
force

fulcrum

weight

Requires
more force
to move the
weight but
less distance
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
force

fulcrum

weight

Requires
more force
to move the
weight but
less distance
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
force

fulcrum

weight

Requires
more force The weight moves
to move the a greater distance
weight but than the force.
less distance
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
force

fulcrum

weight

Requires
more force The weight moves
to move the a greater distance
weight but than the force.
less distance
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight

Now you have just

the opposite, less
force to move the
weight but more
distance.
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight

Now you have just

the opposite, less
force to move the
weight but more
distance.
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight

Now you have just

the opposite, less
force to move the
weight but more
distance.
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight

Now you have just

the opposite, less
force to move the
weight but more
distance.
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight

Now you have just

the opposite, less
force to move the
weight but more
distance.
 • First Class Lever
•By moving the fulcrum, the dynamics of the lever
change. Here is how:
•Now, move the fulcrum clear to the right and
notice the difference.
force
fulcrum

weight
The
Now you have just weight
the opposite, less does not
force to move the move
weight but more very
distance. much.
Can you guess what would be the
dynamics if the fulcrum was
directly in the middle?
Can you guess what would be the
dynamics if the fulcrum was
directly in the middle?
Just a change in direction
Now for the 2nd class lever.
How would changing the position of
force the weight change the dynamics of
this lever?
fulcrum

weight
Now for the 3rd class lever.
How would changing the position of
force the force change the dynamics of this
lever?
fulcrum

weight
2. What is an Inclined Plane?
 A ramp is an inclined plane.
 A ramp helps move objects.
 You can use an inclined plane to help move
an object to a higher or lower place.
 What is the mechanical
advantage of the ramp or incline
plane?
force What do you notice about the
difference between these two ramps?
weight
 What is the mechanical
advantage of the ramp or incline
plane?
force What do you notice about the
difference between these two ramps?
weight
 What is the mechanical
advantage of the ramp or incline
plane?
force What do you notice about the
difference between these two ramps?
weight
 What is the mechanical
advantage of the ramp or incline
plane?
force What do you notice about the
difference between these two ramps?
weight
 What is the mechanical
advantage of the ramp or incline
plane?
force What do you notice about the
difference between these two ramps?
weight
 What is the mechanical
advantage of the ramp or incline
plane?
force What do you notice about the
difference between these two ramps?
weight
 What is the mechanical
advantage of the ramp or incline
plane?
force What do you notice about the
difference between these two ramps?
weight
 What is the mechanical
advantage of the ramp or incline
plane?
force What do you notice about the
difference between these two ramps?
weight
 What is the mechanical
advantage of the ramp or incline
plane?
force What do you notice about the
difference between these two ramps?
weight

What is the trade off between these two ramps?

3. What is a Wedge?
 A doorstop is a wedge.
 A wedge is a simple machine used to push
objects apart.
 An ax is a wedge that splits wood.
 A wedge could be considered
a two sided incline plane.
4. What is a Screw?
 A screw is a simple machine used to hold
objects together.
 Think about your desk.
 Does it have screws helping to hold it
together?
 A screw is an incline
plane twisted on itself.
5. What is a Wheel and Axle?
 A wheel and axle is a simple machine made
of a rod attached to the center of a wheel.
 The axle, or rod, turns when you put force
on the wheel.
 You probably have seen a wheel and axle
on scooters, cars, roller skates, and wagons.
6. What is a Pulley?
 A pulley is a simple machine with a wheel
and with a rope.
 The rope fits around the edge of the wheel.
 You can use a pulley to move a load up,
down or sideways.
How do Pulleys Work?

They can change

direction of the load.
force

weight
How do Pulleys Work?

They can change

direction of the load.
force

weight

OR
How do Pulleys Work?
Using two different
pulleys, with the
weight attached to the
bottom one with give
force you a mechanical
advantage.
weight
How do Pulleys Work?
Using two different
pulleys, with the
weight attached to the
bottom one with give
force you a mechanical
advantage.
weight

This is called a block and

tackle. You will use less force
to lift the weight but will have
to pull more rope.
How do Pulleys Work?
Using two different
pulleys, with the
weight attached to the
bottom one with give
force you a mechanical
advantage.
weight

This is called a block and

tackle. You will use less force
to lift the weight but will have
to pull more rope.
How do Pulleys Work?
Using two different
pulleys, with the
weight attached to the
bottom one with give
force you a mechanical
advantage.
weight

This is called a block and

tackle. You will use less force
to lift the weight but will have
to pull more rope.
How do Pulleys Work?
Using two different
pulleys, with the
weight attached to the
bottom one with give
force you a mechanical
advantage.
weight

This is called a block and

tackle. You will use less force
to lift the weight but will have
to pull more rope.
How do Pulleys Work?
Using two different
pulleys, with the
weight attached to the
bottom one with give
force you a mechanical
advantage.
weight

This is called a block and

tackle. You will use less force
to lift the weight but will have
to pull more rope.
7. What is a Gear?
 Two toothed wheels fit together either
directly or through a chain or belt.
 Some gears may have a screw or a toothed
shaft in place of one of the wheels.
 A gear may also be a combination of
toothed wheels that produces a certain
speed like in a bicycle.
What This Means
 Simple machines are important to us in our
daily life.
 They help us do work.
 They make our lives easier.