Some facts about Simple Machines

Simple Machines When you think about machines, you probably think of cars, airplanes, and cement mixers. Maybe you even think about vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and power saws.

All these machines need motors to make them run All these machines need motors to make them run. But there are machines that don’t need motors - machines like hammers and nails, egg beaters, scissors, and bottle openers.

These things need only a person to make them run These things need only a person to make them run. They don’t need any other kind of power. Are they really machines?

Yes, because like all machines, they help people do some kind of work Yes, because like all machines, they help people do some kind of work. They are called Simple Machines.

There are six simple machines that we are going to talk about today There are six simple machines that we are going to talk about today. The first one is a screw. A screw helps us to hold something together. It is used instead of a nail.

Another simple machine is the wheel and axle Another simple machine is the wheel and axle. We use wheels on cars and bikes to help us get around from one place to another. There are also wheels on machines to help them run.

Another simple machine is the pulley Another simple machine is the pulley. The pulley helps us to move things to another location. When workers are building a home, they often use a pulley to pull things up to a higher level.

A wedge is another kind of simple machine A wedge is another kind of simple machine. It is used to help you move things. While trying to lift a heavy box, you lift one side and put something in there to hold it up.

Inclined plane is next. Inclined plane is a slope or a ramp Inclined plane is next. Inclined plane is a slope or a ramp. It helps you move or raise things that are too heavy. You could build an inclined plane to help you move a box from the ground to the back of a car.

The last simple machine that we will look at is a lever The last simple machine that we will look at is a lever. It is a stiff bar that turns on a point. That point is called a fulcrum. A seesaw is a type of lever.

When we talk about machines, we use the word “work” in a special way When we talk about machines, we use the word “work” in a special way. Work has two parts: how much for or effort is needed to do the work, and how far the force or effort is used.

The second part of work is distance The second part of work is distance. Work can be defined as the movement of force through distance.

If you lift a book from the floor to a table, you are doing work If you lift a book from the floor to a table, you are doing work. If you lift the same book from the floor to a high shelf, you are doing more work. You are using the same force or effort for a longer distance.

Simple machines can be used to give you force, distance or speed, or to change direction. They are also convenient and will help you to work easier.