1. Sikes & West S4P3a: Identify simple machines and their uses.

2. What are simple machines?
Simple machines make work easier for us by allowing us to push or pull over increased distances.
There are 6 types of simple machines.

3. Lever A lever is made up of 2 parts: a bar and a fixed point.
The fixed point is called a fulcrum.
There are 3 types of levers.

4. Three Types of Levers

5. Pulley Makes it easier to lift a heavier load.
There are fixed pulleys and moveable pulleys.
The picture to the right is a fixed pulley. A fixed pulley only changes the direction of force, you pull down on the string and the load goes up.

6. Wedge
A wedge changes a downward or forward force into a sideways force.
A wedge is an object with at least one slanting side ending in a sharp edge, which cuts material apart.

7. Inclined Plane
An inclined plane is a simple machine with one flat slanted surface. This holds up and supports most of the weight load.
Another way to describe an inclined plane is to say that it is a slanting surface connecting a lower level to a higher level.
The most common inclined plane is a ramp.
It does not use much force, but you do have to move the load farther.

8. Screw A screw is an inclined plane twisted into a spiral.
A screw holds things together or lifts materials.

9. Wheel and Axle
A wheel and axle has two parts- a wheel with a axle going through the middle of the wheel.
You only need to use a small force on the wheel.
The axle turns the force into a larger force, which moves the load.
A doorknob is an example of a wheel and axle.

10. Compound Machines Using two or more simple machines.
Most machines are compound machines.
Can you name some examples of other compound machines not shown here?