1. Wheel and Axle
Lever
Simple Machines
Pulley
Screw
Wedge
Inclined Plane

2. Why are they Useful?
Simple machines are useful because they can make a physical job easier by changing the magnitude or the direction of the force exerted to do work.

3. Example
Have you ever tried to unscrew a nut, bolt, or screw from something with your bare hands and discovered that it was just too tight to loosen even if you had a good grip?

4. What Did You Do?

5. You got the proper tool, such as a screw driver
or wrench,
and unscrewed it!

6. Why is it that it's so easy to unscrew with a tool when you can't with your bare hands?

7. The wrench and screw driver are examples of a wheel and axle, where the screw or bolt is the axle and the handle is the wheel. The tool makes the job easier by changing the amount of the force you exert.
Wheel
Axle

8. All of the simple machines can be used for thousands of jobs from lifting a 500-pound weight to making a boat go. The reason why these machines are so special is because they make difficult tasks much easier.

9. Let's Take a Look at Them

10. Click Here to Learn More
Levers
Lever
Load
Fulcrum

11. Lever A board or bar that rests on a turning point called a fulcrum.
The object that a lever moves is called a load.
The closer the object is to the fulcrum, the easier it is to move.
load
Examples:
Hammer, bottle opener, crow bar
lever
fulcrum

12. Inclined Plane
Click on the dude to learn more.

13. Inclined Plane A flat surface that is higher on one end
Used to move an object to a lower or higher place.
Need less energy and force to move objects.

14. Screw A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a post.
Click on the light bulb to learn more.

15. Screw An inclined plane that winds around itself
Has ridges and is not smooth like a nail
Used to lower and raise things and hold things together.
inclined plane
Examples: jar lid, light bulbs, key rings, spiral staircase

16. Wedge Two inclined planes make a wedge.
Try to catch the saw to learn more.

17. Examples: knives, axes, forks, nails
Wedge
2 inclined planes
Made up of 2 inclined planes that meet and form a sharp edge.
This edge can split things apart.
Used to push 2 objects apart.
Examples: knives, axes, forks, nails

18. Wheel and Axle
Click on the windmill to learn more.
Wheel
Axle

19. Wheel and Axle
The axle is a rod that goes through the wheel allowing the wheel to turn.
Makes movement from place to place easier.
Examples: cars, roller skates, wagons, door knobs, gears found in watches, clocks , and bicycles
wheel
axle

20. Pulleys
Wheel
Rope
This box is easier to lift because of the pulley. Click on it to learn more.

21. Examples: flag poles, sailboat, blinds, crane
Pulley
Made up of a rope and wheel.
Rope fits in the groove of the wheel.
One part of the rope is attached to the load.
When you pull on one side, the wheel turns and the load will move.
Moves loads up, down, or sideways.
wheel
rope
Examples: flag poles, sailboat, blinds, crane

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quiz on the Internet?
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