Simple Machines
Helping us lift, lower, fasten,
split, cut, divide, and move!
What is a Simple Machine?
A
simple machine
has few or no
moving parts.
 Simple machines
make work easier
 http://www.cosi.org/
files/Flash/simpMac
h/sm1.swf
Simple Machines
There are 6 simple machines
 Wheel
and Axles
 Pulleys
 Inclined Planes
 Wedges
 Screws
 Levers
Wheels and Axles

A wheel and axle is a lever
that rotates in a circle around
a center point or fulcrum.
 The axle is a rod that goes
through the wheel which
allows the wheel to turn
 Makes it easy to move things
by lifting or rolling them, and
reducing friction
 http://www.cosi.org/files/Flas
h/simpMach/sm1.swf
 Examples: car, bicycle, office
chair, wheel barrow,
shopping cart, door handle
hand truck, roller skates
Wheels and Axles
 Gears
are a form of a wheel and axle
 A gear is a wheel with teeth.
 The teeth fit in between each other and
turn.
 When one gear turns, its teeth push
against the teeth of the other gear and
they both turn.
 There are gears on your bike, on a can
opener and on an egg beater.
Pulleys

Pulleys are wheels and
axles with a groove around
the outside
 A pulley needs a rope, chain
or belt around the groove to
make it do work
 Makes lifting heavy weights
easier by redirecting force
 Pulleys let you move loads up,
down, or sideways.
 http://www.cosi.org/files/Flas
h/simpMach/sm1.swf
Types of Pulleys



A fixed pulley is a pulley in
which the wheel does not move
A moveable pulley does not change the direction of
the effort force but does increase the size of the
force. When you pull on the rope, the pulley and the
load come up.
A compound pulley, also called a block and tackle,
is a combination of a fixed and a movable pulley.
This type of pulley changes direction, and yields a
gain in force at the same time.
Inclined Planes

An inclined plane is a flat
surface that is higher on
one end
 Inclined planes make the
work of moving things
easier
 Makes it easier to move
objects upward; a longer
path, but easier lifting
 http://www.cosi.org/files/F
lash/simpMach/sm1.swf
Wedges
Two inclined planes
joined back to back.
 Wedges are used to
split things.
 Pushes material apart, cuts
 http://www.cosi.org/files/Fla
sh/simpMach/sm1.swf

Screws
A screw is an inclined
plane wrapped around
a shaft or cylinder.
 The inclined plane
allows the screw to
move itself when
rotated.
 Turns rotation into
lengthwise movement
 http://www.cosi.org/files/F
lash/simpMach/sm1.swf

Levers-First Class

In a first class lever the
fulcrum is in the middle
and the load and effort is
on either side
 Helps lift heavy weights
using longer distances
 Think of a see-saw
 http://www.cosi.org/files/
Flash/simpMach/sm1.swf
Levers-Second Class

In a second class
lever the fulcrum is
at the end, with the
load in the middle
 Think of a
wheelbarrow
Levers-Third Class

In a third class lever
the fulcrum is again
at the end, but the
effort is in the
middle
 Think of a pair of
tweezers
SUMMARY
Wedge
Pushes material apart, cuts
Wheel
and Axle
Makes it easy to move things
by rolling them, and reducing friction
Lever
Helps lift heavy weights
using longer distances
Inclined
Plane
Helps lift heavy weights
using longer distances
Screw
Turns rotation into lengthwise movement
Pulley
Makes lifting heavy weights easier
by redirecting force
Pulleys let you move loads up, down, or sideways.
Simple Machines

Simple Machines
can be put together
in different ways to
make complex
machinery
INVESTIGATE!
These websites will help you learn more about Simple
Machines.
After viewing these websites, you will be able to identify
different types of each Simple Machine.
You will also be able to understand more about each
type of Simple Machine.

MiKids.com
 EdHeads.org
 Dirtmeister’s Simple Machines
 Simple Machines
 Complete the chart on the following slide with
your partner. Print out 1 copy.
Simple
Machine
Diagram
Describe how it works
An unique
example