Simple and Complex Machines
What is a machine?


Any tool that can help people do work.
What is work?
Work is when a force is applied to an object to
make it move.
I.E. – Toy Car
When is it doing work?
Simple Machine

A machine with few or
no moving parts that
makes work easier.
 Examples: Lever,
Pulley, Screw,
Wedge, Inclined
Plane, Wheel and
Axel
Complex Machine
 A machine
made of two or more simple
machines working together to make work
easier.
Lever
 A straight
board that pivots on a point
called a fulcrum. Pushing down on one
end of the lever allows an object on the
opposite end to be lifted. Levers make
work of lifting heavy objects easier.
 Examples: See Saw, Hammer
Pulley
 Made
up of a wheel and rope. One part of
the rope is attached to the object. When
you pull on the other side of the rope, the
wheel turns and lifts the object. Pulleys
help move objects to hard to reach areas
and makes moving heavy objects much
easier.
 Examples: Flag Pole, Clothes Line, Blinds
Inclined Plane
A
flat surface that is higher on one end. It
helps move objects to a higher or lower
place.
 Examples: Slide, Ramp on Moving Trucks
Wheel and Axel
 The
axel is a rod that goes through the
wheel. This lets the wheel turn.
 Examples:
Wagons
Bicycles, Roller Skates,
Screw
 Have
ridges and can be used to lower or
raise things. They can also be used to
hold things together.
 Examples:
Jar Lids, Lightbulb, Screw
Wedge
 Two
inclined planes that meet and form a
sharp edge. The edge splits things apart.
 Examples:
Knife, Door Wedge
Simple Machines Quiz
 1.
What type of simple machines can you
find on the playground?
 2. Roller skates are an example of what
type of simple machine?
 3. Name an example of a screw?
 4. A wheel barrel is an example of what
simple machine?
 5. What is a complex machine?