Work &

Simple Machine
Science Grade 8
 Section 1: Objectives

⇔ Determine when work is being done on an object.

⇔ Calculate the amount of work done on an object.

⇔ Explain the difference between work and power.

 Definition of Work
 Work is the transfer of energy to an
object by using a force that causes the
object to move in the direction of the
force.

 Transfer of Energy: One way you can

tell that work is being done is that
energy is transferred.
 Definition of Work
 Applying a force doesn’t always result in
work being done.

 For work to be done on an object, the

object must move in the same direction
as the force.
Atlas holds up the Earth
But he doesn’t move,
dist∥ = 0

Work= Fx dist∥ = 0

He doesn’t do any work!

 Work or Not ?
 A ccording to the scientific
definition, w h at is w ork and
w h at is not?
• a teacher lecturing to the
class
• a m o use pushing a piece of
cheese w ith its nose across
the floor
 Work

The amount of work (W) done in moving an object can be calculated by

multiplying the force (F) applied to the object by the distance (d) through which the

force is applied: W  F  d
The unit used to express work is the newton-meter (N  m), which is more
simply called the Joule.
 Example

If a man pushes a concrete

block 10 meters with a force
of 20 N, how much work has
he done?

Answer :
W =Fxd
W = 20N x 10m
= 200 J
Exercise
1. How much work is produced when
350 N is used to move a car 5 m?
2. If 150 Joules of work is needed to
move a box 10 meters, what force
was used?
Answer :
1. 1750 J
2. 15 N
Work done when the force makes an angle with the
direction of displacement :
 Example

How much work is done on a vacuum cleaner

pulled 5 m by a force of 60N at an angle of 30
degrees above the horizontal?
Solution :
Relationship between Work and Energy.
The amount of work is equal to the change in the
kinetic energy or the change in the potential energy
of the object.

1 2 2
𝑤=∆ 𝐾𝐸=𝐾𝐸 2 − 𝐾𝐸1= 𝑚 (𝑣 2 − 𝑣 1 )
2

𝑊 =∆ 𝑃𝐸=𝑃𝐸2 − 𝑃𝐸1 =𝑚𝑔(h2 −h1 )

 Power
 Power is the rate at which energy is
transferred. To calculate power (P), you
divide the amount of work done (W) by the
time (t) it takes to do that work:
P=W/t
 The unit used to express power is Joules
per second (J/s), also called the Watt. One
Watt (W) is equal to 1 J/s.
Example
 Section 2: Objectives
 Explain how a machine makes work easier.

 Identify and give examples of the 4 types of

simple machines.

 Analyze the mechanical advantage provided

by each simple machine.
 Machines
A machine is a device that makes work easier
by changing the size or direction of a force.

Machines come in many shapes and sizes and

accomplish many different tasks.
 Machines can be simple of complex.

The basic goal for a machine is to decrease the

work load for a task.
 Simple Machine
Simple machine, any of
several devices with few or no moving
parts that are used to modify motion
and the magnitude of a force in order
to perform work. They are the simplest
mechanisms known that can use
leverage (or mechanical advantage) to
increase force. The simple machines
are the inclined plane, lever, wedge,
wheel and axle, pulley, and screw.
 Mechanical Advantage
 It is useful to think about a machine in
terms of the input force (the force you
apply) and the output force (force which
is applied to the task).

 When a machine takes a small input

force and increases the magnitude of the
output force, a mechanical advantage
has been produced.
 Types of Simple Machines : Lever

A lever is a simple machine that has a bar that

pivots at a fixed point, called a fulcrum.

 There are 3 types of levers

 First-Class Levers
• First-Class Levers : the fulcrum is between the input force
and the load.
Common examples of first-class levers include crowbars, scissors,
pliers, tin snips and seesaws.
Second-Class Levers
The load of a second-class lever is between the fulcrum and the
input force.
Common examples of second-class levers include nut
crackers, wheel barrows, doors, and bottle openers.
Third-Class Levers
The input force in a third-class lever is between the fulcrum
and the load.
Examples of third-class levers include tweezers, hammers, and
shovels.
 Formula for Finding Input (Effort) Force on a Lever :
𝐷𝑅
𝐹 𝐸= × 𝐹𝑅
𝐷𝐸
Formula for Finding the Weight of the Load on the Lever :
𝐷𝐸
𝐹 𝑅= × 𝐹𝐸
𝐷𝑅
Formula for Finding the Effort Arm on a Lever :
𝐹𝑅
𝐷𝐸= × 𝐷𝑅
𝐹𝐸
Formula for Finding the Load Arm on the Lever
𝐹𝐸
𝐷 𝑅= × 𝐷𝐸
𝐹𝑅
 Example
A lever has a effort arm of 3 m and a load arm of 30 cm,
what is the mechanical advantage?

Solution:
 Exercise
To lift a load of 1000 N used a lever with a length of 300 cm
and a load arm of 50 cm. Calculate the force required to lift the
load!
Answer:
This problem is about the first type of lever, where the fulcrum
is between the load and the force. So:

= 200N
 Types of Simple Machines : Inclined Plane
• An inclined plane is a simple machine
that is a straight, slanted surface.
• Inclined planes are often called ramps.

• The mechanical advantage (MA) of an

inclined plane can be calculated by
dividing the length of the inclined plane by
the height to which the load is lifted.

• MA = L (of inclined plane) / H (load is

MA =
lifted)
Example
 Check your Understanding!
A student push an object with a force of F from point A to point B, as
shown in figure below. If the friction between object and boar ignored,
determine the mechanical advantage!
 Answer
Known : Height of inclined plane (y) = 4 meters – 1 meters = 3 meters
Length of horizontal plane (x) = 4 meters
Looking for : M.A. = ….?
Solution :
● Calculate the length of the inclined plane using the equation
of Pythagoras :
L = √32+42 = √9+16 = √25 = 5 meters
● The mechanical advantage of the inclined plane :
 Types of Simple Machines : Wheel and Axle
What Is a Wheel and Axle? A wheel and axle is a simple
machine consisting of two circular objects of different sizes.
 Mechanical Advantage of a Wheel and
Axle The mechanical advantage of a wheel and
axle can be found by dividing the radius (the
distance from the center to the edge) of the
wheel by the radius of the axle.

MA = R (of wheel) / R ( of axle)

MA =
MA =
 Exercise
A wheel and axle are known to have a diameter of 1 meter and
an axle diameter of 20 cm. The tool is used to lift a load
weighing 80 Newtons. Determine the mechanical advantage of
the wheel and axle!
 Types of Simple Machines : Pulley
What is a pulley?
Have you seen your school flag
hoisted? That is possible with a simple
pulley. When you pull down on the rope, the
pulley at the top of the pole turns, and the
flag goes up. Pulleys change the direction of
the force. A pulley is simply a wheel with a
groove and a rope in the groove. The groove
is important because it helps to keep the
rope in place. There are three types of
pulleys.
 Fixed Pulley

It is the simplest form of

pulleys. Simple pulleys have their
axles fixed in place and cannot be
moved. The rope moves in the
groove of the pulley, but the wheel
is fixed to one spot. The wheel on
your school flag pole is a good
example.
 Fixed Pulley
A single pulley changes the
direction of force, making pulling down
easier than lifting up. Single pulley systems
are demonstrated in cranes, lifting a bucket
from a well, raising a flag or adjusting
window blinds. Even though there is no
actual mechanical advantage with one
pulley, it is referred to as having a
mechanical advantage of one.

𝐷 𝐸 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡h𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑

𝑀𝐴= = =1
𝐷𝑅 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
Movable Pulley
In a movable pulley
(see diagram on the left), a load
is attached to the pulley, and
both of them can move from
place to place. In this type, one
end of the rope is attached to a
fixed point that does not move.
With a movable pulley, you
need less effort to lift a load
 Movable Pulley
The mechanical advantage
is equal to the number of sections
of rope pulling up on the object.
The mechanical advantage of a
movable pulley (one where the
pulley can move freely along the
rope) is two.

𝐷 𝐸 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡h𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑

𝑀𝐴= = =2
𝐷𝑅 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
 Compound Pulley

This is also called a

combined pulley. It is a combination
of pulleys designed to make the
effortless than half of the weight of
the load. This kind is common at
construction sites where cranes lift
very heavy steel and concrete
objects. One good example of a
compound pulley is a Block and
Tackle.
 Compound Pulley

The mechanical advantage is equal to the number of

sections of rope pulling up on the object.

𝐷 𝐸 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔h𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡h𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑

𝑀𝐴= = =𝑛
𝐷𝑅 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
 Example

Eddrick moves an object with a

mass of 95 kg from the 1st floor to
the 2nd floor. He uses a pulley as
shown in the figure. How much force
does Eddrick need to move the
object?
(g = 9.8 )
 Answer:
Known : m = 95 kg
g = 9.8
Asked : F
Solution
There are 3 ropes that support the load so the value of the mechanical
advantage is 3. MA = 3
 Exercise
A 200 kg object is pulled up, g = 10 . What is the force and
mechanical advantage if used:

a. a fixed pulley;
b. a movable pulley;
c. a combined pulley consisting of 4 pulleys!
 Thanks!
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