The Six Simple Machines
By: Danielle Duncan
Lever
-Rigid bar that rotates around a fixed point.
-The fixed point is called the fulcrum.
- Use effort to make the load move.
Class 1: Fulcrum is between the load and the effort.
Class 2: Fulcrum at one end, effort at one end and the load is in the middle.
Class 3: Fulcrum at one end, load at one end, effort in the middle.
Example: Seesaw
Wheel & Axle
- Small cylinder (axle) joined to a large cylinder (wheel).
- Used to move heavy loads usually across ground.
Example: Car
Inclined Plane
- Simply a tilted surface
- The steeper the slope the more effort it takes to push/pull something up.
Example: hill
Wedge
- Two inclined planes sandwiched together
- Changes the force from moving downwards to moving outwards.
Example: hammering a nail into wood
Screw
- Inclined planes that is coiled around a shaft.
- Converts rotational motion into linear motion.
Example: Spiral stairs
Pulley
- Makes work easier by changing the direction of the force.
- By allowing the person to pull down on the rope he can add its own weight to the effort rather than just lifting the load.
Example: Elevator