Фигня topic simple machines. Методическая разработка занятия по английскому языку на тему "Машины и работа" (3 курс)

Or . However, some of the most important and useful machines are quite simple. In fact, scientists even call them simple machines!

So what is a simple machine? Is it a machine that does a simple , such as addition or ? Maybe it"s just a machine that"s really easy to operate, like an old television remote control? Or could it be any machine that makes life easier?

While simple machines do make our lives easier, they"re much older than either television remotes or calculators. Simple machines are some of the first machines ever created.

Since the earliest human beings walked on Earth, they looked for ways to make the of everyday life easier to accomplish. Over time, they did this by inventing what has become known as the six simple machines.

Wedges are moving inclined planes used to lift or separate. Wedges are usually used to cut, tear, or break an object into pieces. Common wedges include knives, axes, saws, scissors, and shovels. However, wedges can also be used to hold things in place, such as in the case of staples, nails, shims, or doorstops.

A is a twisted version of an inclined plane. It allows movement to be translated into an up or down motion that takes up less space. Screws can also help hold things together. Common examples of screws include jar lids, drills, light bulbs, and bottle caps.

These six simple machines are all around us. Often more machines, also called machines, consist of one or more of the simple machines put together. Can you imagine how much easier life became after the invention of these simple machines?

HanicalSimple Machines and its Mechanical Advantage What are Simple Machines ? What do we mean by Mechanical Advantage? Simple Machines * creates a greater output force than the input force Therefore since work is performed by applying a force over a distance, with the use of these machines we can do more work with lesser effort than working with our bare hands. In short, they make work easier. Mechanical Advantage * The Ratio between the input force and the output force. * The measure of the force amplification achieved by using a tool, mechanical device or machine system. Anyway what is input and output force? Input refers to the force you applied while output refers to the resultant force the object has from the input force. Example: I pushed a ball with 10 N of force, it is rolling with 10 N of force. I input 10 N into it, now it is outputting 10 N. The Six Classical Simple Machines The Lever(French word that means “to raise”) * A simple machine that allows you to gain a mechanical advantage in moving an object or in applying a force to an object. It is considered a "pure" simple machine because friction is not a factor to overcome, as in other simple machines . Part | Description | Fulcrum | Is where a solid board or rod can pivot...

Simple Machines Examples With Pictures Essay

Applied Force Other First Class Lever Examples Applied Force Action Force Spring Load Force Action http://library.thinkquest.org/J002079F/lever.htm Third Class Lever Effort or Applied Force Egg ready to be launched Release hook Compressed Spring Load or Resistance Fulcrum Applied force can be in any direction http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/sciber00/8th/machines /sciber/lever3.htm http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/sciber00/8th/machines /images/tweezer.gif http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/sciber00/8th/machines /images/base.jpg Inclined Plane An inclined plane is a slanted surface used to raise an object. An inclined plane decreases the size of the effort force needed to move an object. However, the distance through which the effort force is applied is increased. The Big Rock rolling downhill with gravitational force IS NOT an example of an inclined plane. The inclined plane gives you mechanical advantage AGAINST gravity. Big Rock http://www.sirinet.net/~jgjohnso/simple.html An example of how an Inclined Plane can be used to raise a mass to activate another simple machine Egg ready to be launched By First Class Lever F Big Rock Force pushing (or pulling) Big Rock up the hill Inclined Plane First Class Lever Wedges Pulleys Wedges are moving inclined planes that are driven under loads to lift Pulleys use a wheel or set of wheels around which a single length (not...

Activity 1.1.2 Simple Machines Practice Problems Answer Key Essay

Activity 1.1.2 Simple Machines Practice Problems Answer Key Procedure Answer the following questions regarding simple machine systems. Each question requires proper illustration and annotation, including labeling of forces, distances, direction, and unknown values. Illustrations should consist of basic simple machine functional sketches rather than realistic pictorials. Be sure to document all solution steps and proper units. All problem calculations should assume ideal conditions and no friction loss. Simple Machines – Lever A first class lever in static equilibrium has a 50lb resistance force and 15lb effort force. The lever’s effort force is located 4 ft from the fulcrum. 1. Sketch and annotate the lever system described above. 2. What is the actual mechanical advantage of the system? Formula Substitute / Solve Final Answer AMA = 3.33 3. Using static equilibrium calculations, calculate the length from the fulcrum to the resistance force. Formula Substitute / Solve Final Answer A wheel barrow is used to lift a 200 lb load. The length from the wheel axle to the center of the load is 2 ft. The length from the wheel and axle to the effort is 5 ft. 4. Illustrate and annotate the lever system described above. 5. What is the ideal mechanical advantage of the system?...

Compound Machine

Our compound machine , consisting of mainly three different simple machines , is a crane designed to multiply your force in order to effectively and efficiently lift the four 75 kg up a steep hill. Our machine starts off with the gear train. As you rotate the handle, all the gears rotate along as well. Since we connected the rope of the pulley to our gears, it then puts the pulley system into action. We created movable pulleys throughout the arm until the tip to stabilize our rope and also give us a mechanical advantage. At the top section of our arm we created a lever to support the load. This magnifies our effort force since a combination of all the mechanical energy is being carried out. With the pulley system, connected all the way to the gear train, and the lever working all together, our mechanical advantage is increased greatly. We created a series of gear trains to not only increase our advantage of torque in the machine but also to increase the mechanical advantage rather than losing efficiency due to friction and thermal energy. Doing this, we magnified our effort force onto the load. Also, in the gears, we arranged it so that the input gear and the output gear gave us a low gear ratio and the idler gears in between. It also allows us to control the direction of our force in the machine . Since it is linked to the pulley, we can control the direction of the rope. However, it only...

Essay

SAMPLE PROBLEMS: . Simple Machines – Lever A first class lever in static equilibrium has a 50lb resistance force and 15lb effort force. The lever’s effort force is located 4 ft from the fulcrum. Sketch and annotate the lever system described above. | What is the actual mechanical advantage of the system? Formula | Substitute / Solve | Final Answer | | | AMA = 3.33 | * Using static equilibrium calculations, calculate the length from the fulcrum to the resistance force. Formula | Substitute / Solve | Final Answer | | | | A wheel barrow is used to lift a 200 lb load. The length from the wheel axle to the center of the load is 2 ft. The length from the wheel and axle to the effort is 5 ft. Illustrate and annotate the lever system described above. | What is the ideal mechanical advantage of the system? Formula | Substitute / Solve | Final Answer | | | | * Using static equilibrium calculations, calculate the effort force needed to overcome the resistance force in the system. Formula | Substitute / Solve | Final Answer | | | | A medical technician uses a pair of four inch long tweezers to remove a wood sliver from a patient. The technician is applying 1 lb of squeezing force to the tweezers. If more than 1/5 lb of force is applied to the sliver, it will break and become difficult to remove. Sketch and annotate the lever system...

Essay on Simple Machines

...Simple machines are extremely important to everyday life. They make stuff that is normally difficult a piece of cake. There are several types of simple machines . The first simple machine is a lever. A lever consists of a fulcrum, load, and effort force. A fulcrum is the support. The placing of the fulcrum changes the amount of force and distance it will take in order to move an object. The load is the applied force. The effort force is the force applied on the opposite side of the load. Levers can be placed in three classes. The 1st class levers are objects like pliers where the fulcrum is at the center of the lever. The 2nd class of levers are objects that have the fulcrum on the opposite side of the applied force like a nutcracker. The 3rd and final class is objects like crab claws. These objects of the load at one end and the fulcrum on the other. An inclined plane is another simple machine . Inclined planes are also known as ramps. Ramps make a trade off between distance and force. No matter how steep the ramp, the work is still the same. A winding road on a mountain side is a good example of a ramp. Some simple machines are modified inclined planes. The wedge is one of those machines . One or two inclined planes make up a wedge. Saws, knives,needles, and axes are made from wedges....

Simple Machines Essay

...Simple Machines Definitions: Machine - A device that makes work easier by changing the speed , direction, or amount of a force. Simple Machine - A device that performs work with only one movement. Simple machines include lever, wheel and axle, inclined plane, screw, and wedge. Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA)- A machine in which work in equals work out; such a machine would be frictionless and a 100% efficient IMA= De/Dr Actual Mechanical Advantage (AMA)- It is pretty much the opposite of IMA meaning it is not 100% efficient and it has friction. AMA= Fr/Fe Efficiency- The amount of work put into a machine compared to how much useful work is put out by the machine ; always between 0% and 100%. Friction- The force that resist motion between two surfaces that are touching each other. What do we use machines for? Machines are used for many things. Machines are used in everyday life just to make things easier. You use many machines in a day that you might take for granted. For example a simple ordinary broom is a machine . It is a form of a lever. Our country or world would never be this evolved if it wasn"t for machine . Almost every thing we do has a machine involved. We use machines ...

Simple Machine A machine with few Essay

... Simple Machine : A machine with few or no moving parts. Simple machines make work easier. Examples: Screw, Wheel and Axle, Wedge, Pulley, Inclined Plane, Lever Compound Machine : Two or more simple machines working together to make work easier. Examples: Wheelbarrow, Can Opener, Bicycle Inclined plane: A sloping surface, such as a ramp. Makes lifting heavy loads easier. The trade-off is that an object must be moved a longer distance than if it was lifted straight up, but less force is needed. Examples: Staircase, Ramp Lever: A straight rod or board that pivots on a point known as a fulcrum. Pushing down on one end of a lever results in the upward motion of the opposite end of the fulcrum. Examples: Door on Hinges, Seesaw, Hammer, Bottle Opener Pulley: A wheel that usually has a groove around the outside edge for a rope or belt. Pulling down on the rope can lift an object attached to the rope. Work is made easier because pulling down on the rope is made easier due to gravity. Examples: Flag Pole, Crane, Mini-Blinds Screw: An inclined plane wrapped around a shaft or cylinder. This inclined plane allows the screw to move itself or to move an object or material surrounding it when rotated. Examples: Bolt, Spiral Staircase Wedge: Two inclined planes joined back to back. Wedges are used to split things....

Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier. Students are introduced to the six types of simple machines - the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley - in the context of the construction of a pyramid, gaining high-level insights into tools that have been used since ancient times and are still in use today. In two hands-on activities, students begin their own pyramid design by performing materials calculations, and evaluating and selecting a construction site. The six simple machines are examined in more depth in subsequent lessons in this unit. This engineering curriculum meets Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Engineering Connection

Why do engineers care about simple machines? How do such devices help engineers improve society? Simple machines are important and common in our world today in the form of everyday devices (crowbars, wheelbarrows, highway ramps, etc.) that individuals, and especially engineers, use on a daily basis. The same physical principles and mechanical advantages of simple machines used by ancient engineers to build pyramids are employed by today"s engineers to construct modern structures such as houses, bridges and skyscrapers. Simple machines give engineers added tools for solving everyday challenges.

Learning Objectives

After this lesson, students should be able to:

• Understand what a simple machine is and how it would help an engineer to build something.
• Identify six types of simple machines.
• Understand how the same physical principles used by engineers today to build skyscrapers were employed in ancient times by engineers to build pyramids.
• Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to creating a simple lever machine based on how well each met the constraints of the challenge.

More Curriculum Like This

Levers That Lift

Students are introduced to three of the six simple machines used by many engineers: lever, pulley, and wheel-and-axle. In general, engineers use the lever to magnify the force applied to an object, the pulley to lift heavy loads over a vertical path, and the wheel-and-axle to magnify the torque appl...

Slide Right on by Using an Inclined Plane

Students explore building a pyramid, learning about the simple machine called an inclined plane. They also learn about another simple machine, the screw, and how it is used as a lifting or fastening device.

Splash, Pop, Fizz: Rube Goldberg Machines

Refreshed with an understanding of the six simple machines; screw, wedge, pully, incline plane, wheel and axle, and lever, student groups receive materials and an allotted amount of time to act as mechanical engineers to design and create machines that can complete specified tasks.

Pyramid Building: How to Use a Wedge

Students learn how simple machines, including wedges, were used in building both ancient pyramids and present-day skyscrapers. In a hands-on activity, students test a variety of wedges on different materials (wax, soap, clay, foam).

Educational Standards

Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.

All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN) , a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).

In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g. , by state; within source by type; e.g. , science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc .

NGSS: Next Generation Science Standards - Science

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association - Technology

Introduction/Motivation

How did the Egyptians build the Great Pyramids thousands of years ago (~2,500 BCE)? Could you build a pyramid using 9,000-kilogram (~10-ton or 20,000-lb) blocks of stone with your bare hands? That"s like trying to move a large elephant with your bare hands! How many people might it take to move a block that big? It would still be a challenge to build a pyramid today even with modern tools, such as jackhammers, cranes, trucks and bulldozers. But without these modern tools, how did Egyptian workers cut, shape, transport and place enormous stones? Well, one key to accomplishing this amazing and difficult task was the use of simple machines.

Simple machines are devices with no, or very few, moving parts that make work easier. Many of today"s complex tools are really just more complicated forms of the six simple machines. By using simple machines, ordinary people can split huge rocks, hoist large stones, and move blocks over great distances.

However, it took more than just simple machines to build the pyramids. It also took tremendous planning and a great design . Planning, designing, working as a team and using tools to create something, or to get a job done, is what engineering is all about. Engineers use their knowledge, creativity and problem-solving skills to accomplish some amazing feats to solve real-world challenges. People call on engineers to use their understanding of how things work to do seemingly impossible jobs and make everyday activities easier. It is surprising how many times engineers turn to simple machines to solve these problems.

Once we understand simple machines, you will recognize them in many common activities and everyday items. (Hand out .) These are the six simple machines: wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw , and pulley . Now that you see the pictures, do you recognize some of these simple machines? Can you see any of these simple machines around the classroom? How do they work? Well, an important vocabulary term when learning about simple machines is mechanical advantage . Mechanical advantage of simple machines means we can use less force to move an object, but we have to move it a longer distance. A good example is pushing a heavy object up a ramp. It may be easier to push the object up a ramp instead of just lifting it up to the right height, but it takes a longer distance. A ramp is an example of the simple machine called an inclined plane . We are going to learn a lot more about each of these six simple machines that are a simple solution to helping engineers, and all humans, do hard work.

Sometimes it is difficult to recognize simple machines in our lives because they look different than the examples we see at school. To make our study of simple machines easier, let"s imagine that we are living in ancient Egypt and that the leader of the country has hired us as engineers to build a pyramid. Today"s availability of electricity and technologically-advanced machines make it difficult for us to see what the simple machine is accomplishing. But in the context of ancient Egypt, the simple machines that we will study are the much more basic tools of the time. After we develop an understanding of simple machines, we will shift our context to building a skyscraper in the present day, so we can compare and contrast how simple machines were used across the centuries and are still used today.

Lesson Background and Concepts for Teachers

Use the attached Introduction to Simple Machines PowerPoint presentation and Simple Machines Reference Sheet as helpful classroom tools. (Show the PowerPoint presentation, or print out the slides to use with an overhead projector. The presentation is animated to promote an inquiry-based style; each click reveals a new point about each machine; have students suggest characteristics and examples before you reveal them.)

Simple machines are everywhere; we use them everyday to perform simple tasks. Simple machines have also been in use since the early days of human existence. While simple machines take many shapes, they come in six basic types:

• Wedge : A device that forces things apart.
• Wheel and axle : Used to reduce friction.
• Lever : Moves around a pivot point to increase or decrease mechanical advantage.
• Inclined plane : Raises objects by moving up a slope.
• Screw : A device that can lift or hold things together.
• Pulley : Changes the direction of a force.

We use simple machines because they make work easier. The scientific definition of work is the amount of force that is applied to an object multiplied by the distance the object is moved. Thus, work consists of force and distance. Each job takes a specific amount of work to finish it, and this number does not change. Thus, the force times the distance always equals the same amount of work. This means that if you move something a smaller distance you need to exert a greater force. On the other hand, if you want to exert less force, you need to move it over a greater distance. This is the force and distance trade off, or mechanical advantage , which is common to all simple machines. With mechanical advantage, the longer a job takes, the less force you need to use throughout the job. Most of the time, we feel that a task is hard because it requires us to use a lot of force. Therefore, using the trade off between distance and force can make our task much easier to complete.

The wedge is a simple machine that forces objects or substances apart by applying force to a large surface area on the wedge, with that force magnified to a smaller area on the wedge to do the actual work. A nail is a common wedge with a wide nail head area where the force is applied, and a small point area where the concentrated force is exerted. The force is magnified at the point, enabling the nail to pierce wood. As the nail sinks into the wood, the wedge shape at the point of the nail moves forward, and forces the wood apart.

Figure 1: An axe is an example of a wedge.

Everyday examples of wedges include an axe (see Figure 1), nail, doorstop, chisel, saw, jackhammer, zipper, bulldozer, snow plow, horse plow, zipper, airplane wing, knife, fork and bow of a boat or ship.

The wheel and axle is a simple machine that reduces the friction involved in moving an object, making the object easier to transport. When an object is pushed, the force of friction must be overcome to start it moving. Once the object is moving, the force of friction opposes the force exerted on the object. The wheel and axle makes this easier by reducing the friction involved in moving an object. The wheel rotates around an axle (essentially a rod that goes through the wheel, letting the wheel turn), rolling over the surface and minimizing friction. Imagine trying to push a 9,000-kilogram (~10-ton) block of stone. Wouldn"t it be easier to roll it along using logs placed underneath the stone?

Everyday examples of the wheel and axle include a car, bicycle, office chair, wheel barrow, shopping cart, hand truck and roller skates.

A lever simple machine consists of a load, a fulcrum and effort (or force). The load is the object that is moved or lifted. The fulcrum is the pivot point, and the effort is the force required to lift or move the load. By exerting a force on one end of the lever (the applied force), a force at the other end of the lever is created. The applied force is either increased or decreased, depending on the distance from the fulcrum (the point or support on which a lever pivots) to the load, and from the fulcrum to the effort.

Figure 2: A crowbar is an example of a lever.

copyright

Copyright © 2004 Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA. All rights reserved. With notations by the ITL Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2005.

Everyday examples of levers include a teeter-totter or see-saw, crane arm, crow bar, hammer (using the claw end), fishing pole and bottle opener. Think of a how you use a crowbar (see Figure 2). By pushing down on the long end of the crowbar, a force is created at the load end over a smaller distance, once again, demonstrating the tradeoff between force and distance.

Inclined planes make it easier to lift something. Think of a ramp. Engineers use ramps to easily move objects to a greater height. There are two ways to raise an object: by lifting it straight up, or by pushing it diagonally up. Lifting an object straight up moves it over the shortest distance, but you must exert a greater force. On the other hand, using an inclined plane requires a smaller force, but you must exert it over a longer distance.

Everyday examples of inclined planes include highway access ramps, sidewalk ramps, stairs, inclined conveyor belts, and switchback roads or trails.

Figure 3: A car jack is an example of a screw-type simple machine that enables one person to lift up the side of a car.

A screw is essentially an inclined plane wrapped around a shaft. Screws have two primary functions: they hold things together, or they lift objects. A screw is good for holding things together because of the threading around the shaft. The threads grip the surrounding material like teeth, resulting in a secure hold; the only way to remove a screw is to unwind it. A car jack is an example of a screw being used to lift something (see Figure 3).

Everyday examples of screws include a screw, bolt, clamp, jar lid, car jack, spinning stool and spiral staircase.

Figure 4: A pulley on a ship helps people pull in a heavy fishing net.

A pulley is a simple machine used to change the direction of a force. Think of raising a flag or lifting a heavy stone. To lift a stone up into its place on a pyramid, one would have to exert a force that pulls it up. By using a pulley made from a grooved wheel and rope, one can pull down on the rope, capitalizing on the force of gravity, to lift the stone up . Even more valuable, a system of several pulleys can be used together to reduce the force needed to lift an object.

Everyday examples of pulleys in use include flag poles, elevators, sails, fishing nets (see Figure 4), clothes lines, cranes, window shades and blinds, and rock climbing gear.

Compound Machines

A compound machine is a device that combines two or more simple machines. For example, a wheelbarrow combines the use of a wheel and axle with a lever. Using the six basic simple machines, all sorts of compound machines can be made. There are many simple and compound machines in your home and classroom. Some examples of the compound machines you may find are a can opener (wedge and lever), exercise machines/cranes/tow trucks (levers and pulleys), shovel (lever and wedge), car jack (lever and screw), wheel barrow (wheel and axle and lever) and bicycle (wheel and axle and pulley).

Vocabulary/Definitions

Design: (verb) To plan out in systematic, often graphic form. To create for a particular purpose or effect. Design a building. (noun) A well thought-out plan.

Engineering: Applying scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes and systems.

Force: A push or pull on an object.

Inclined plane: A simple machine that raises an object to greater height. Usually a straight slanted surface and no moving parts, such as a ramp, sloping road or stairs.

Lever: A simple machine that increases or decreases the force to lift something. Usually a bar pivoted on a fixed point (fulcrum) to which force is applied to do work.

Mechanical advantage: An advantage gained by using simple machines to accomplish work with less effort. Making the task easier (which means it requires less force), but may require more time or room to work (more distance, rope, etc.). For example, applying a smaller force over a longer distance to achieve the same effect as applying a large force over a small distance. The ratio of the output force exerted by a machine to the input force applied to it.

Pulley: A simple machine that changes the direction of a force, often to lift a load. Usually consists of a grooved wheel in which a pulled rope or chain runs.

Pyramid: A massive structure of ancient Egypt and Mesoamerica used for a crypt or tomb. The typical shape is a square or rectangular base at the ground with sides (faces) in the form of four triangles that meet in a point at the top. Mesoamerican temples have stepped sides and a flat top surmounted by chambers.

Screw: A simple machine that lifts or holds materials together. Often a cylindrical rod incised with a spiral thread.

Simple machine: A machine with few or no moving parts that is used to make work easier (provides a mechanical advantage). For example, a wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, or pulley.

Spiral: A curve that winds around a fixed center point (or axis) at a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from that point.

Tool: A device used to do work.

Wedge: A simple machine that forces materials apart. Used for splitting, tightening, securing or levering. It is thick at one end and tapered to a thin edge at the other.

Wheel and axle: A simple machine that reduces the friction of moving by rolling. A wheel is a disk designed to turn around an axle passed through the center of the wheel. An axle is a supporting cylinder on which a wheel or a set of wheels revolves.

Work: Force on an object multiplied by the distance it moves. W = F x d (force multiplied by distance).

Associated Activities

• Stack It Up! - Students analyze and begin to design a pyramid. They perform calculations to determine the area of their pyramid base, stone block volumes, the number of blocks required for their pyramid base, and make a scaled drawing of a pyramid on graph paper.
• Choosing a Pyramid Site - Working in engineering project teams, students choose a site for the construction of a pyramid. They base their decision on site features as provided by a surveyor"s report; distance from the quarry, river and palace; and other factors they deem important to the project.

Lesson Closure

Today, we have discussed six simple machines. Who can name them for me? (Answer: Wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley.) How do simple machines make work easier? (Answer: Mechanical advantage enables us to use less force to move an object, but we have to move it a longer distance.) Why do engineers use simple machines? (Possible answers: Engineers creatively use their knowledge of science and math to make our lives better, often using simple machines. They invent tools that make work easier. They accomplish huge tasks that could not be done without the mechanical advantage of simple machines. They design structures and tools to use our environmental resources better and more efficiently.) Tonight, at home, think about everyday examples of the six simple machines. See how many you can find around your house!

Complete the KWL Assessment Chart (see the Assessment section). Gauge students" understanding of the lesson by assigning the Simple Machines Worksheet as a take-home quiz. As an extension, use the attached . Review the information and answer any questions. Suggest the students keep the sheet handy in their desks, folders or journals.

Lesson Summary Assessment

Closing Discussion: Conduct an informal class discussion, asking the students what they learned from the activities. Ask the students:

• Who can name the different types of simple machines? (Answer: Wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley.)
• How do simple machines make work easier? (Answer: Mechanical advantage enables us to use less force to move an object, but we have to move it a longer distance.)
• Why do engineers use simple machines? (Possible answers: Engineers creatively use their knowledge of science and math to make our lives better, often using simple machines. They invent tools that make work easier. They accomplish huge tasks that could not be done without the mechanical advantage of simple machines. They design structures and tools to use our environmental resources better and more efficiently.)

Remind students that engineers consider many factors when they plan, design and create something. Ask the students:

• What are the considerations an engineer must keep in mind when designing a new structure? (Possible answers: Size and shape (design) of the structure, available construction materials, calculation of materials needed, comparing materials and costs, making drawings, etc.)
• What are the considerations an engineer must keep in mind when choosing a site to build a new structure? (Possible answers: Site physical characteristics , distance to construction resources , suitability for the structure"s purpose .)

KWL Chart (Conclusion): As a class, finish column L of the KWL Chart as described in the Pre-Lesson Assessment section. List all of the things they learned about simple machines. Were all of the W questions answered? What new things did they learn?

Take-Home Quiz: Gauge students" understanding of the lesson by assigning the Simple Machines Worksheet as a take-home quiz.

Lesson Extension Activities

Use the attached Simple Machines Scavenger Hunt! Worksheet to conduct a fun scavenger hunt. Have the students find examples of all the simple machines used in the classroom and their homes.

Bring in everyday examples of simple machines and demonstrate how they work.

Illustrate the power of simple machines by asking students to do a task without using a simple machine, and then with one. For example, create a lever demonstration by hammering a nail into a piece of wood. Have students try to pull the nail out, first using only their hands

Bring in a variety of everyday examples of simple machines. Hand out one out to each student and have them think about what type of simple machine it is. Next, have students place the items into categories by simple machines and explain why they chose to place their item there. Ask students what life would be like without this item. Emphasize that simple machines make our life easier.

See the Edheads website for an interactive game on simple machines: http://edheads.org.

Engineering Design Fun with Levers: Give each pair of students a paint stirrer, 3 small plastic cups, a piece of duct tape and a wooden block or spool (or anything similar). Challenge the students to design a simple machine lever that will throw a ping pong ball (or any other type of small ball) as high as possible. In the re-design phase, allow the students to request materials to add on to their design. Have a small competition to see which group was able to send the ping pong ball flying high. Discuss with the class why that particular design was successful versus other variations seen during the competition.

Additional Multimedia Support

See http://edheads.org for a good simple machines website with curricular materials including educational games and activities.

References

Dictionary.com. Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. Accessed January 11, 2006. (Source of some vocabulary definitions, with some adaptation) http://www.dictionary.com

Simple Machines. inQuiry Almanack, The Franklin Institute Online, Unisys and Drexel eLearning. Accessed January 11, 2006. http://sln.fi.edu/qa97/spotlight3/spotlight3.html

Contributors

Greg Ramsey; Glen Sirakavit; Lawrence E. Carlson; Jacquelyn Sullivan; Malinda Schaefer Zarske; Denise Carlson, with design input from the students in the spring 2005 K-12 Engineering Outreach Corps course

Copyright

© 2005 by Regents of the University of Colorado.

Supporting Program

Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder

Acknowledgements

The contents of these digital library curricula were developed by the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program under National Science Foundation GK-12 grant no. 0338326. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government. 

Last modified: February 11, 2019

Simple machines are tools that make work easier. They have few or no moving parts.These machines use energy to work. There are six types of simple machines . The six types of simple machines are used in our daily life. Simple machines convert a smaller amount of force exerted over a larger distance to a greater amount of force exerted over a shorter distance, or vice versa. The concept of simple machine was introduced by the Greek philosopher Archimedes the 3rd century.

There are six types of simple machines. The six types of simple machines are

• Wedge
• Lever.

Pulley is wheels and axles with a groove around the outside

A pulley needs a rope, chain or belt around the groove to make it do work

Examples: Flag post, Elevator, Window blinds, Crane, Winch.

A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a shaft or cylinder.

The inclined plane allows the screw to move itself when rotated

Examples: Screw lid jar, drills, door lock, meat grinder, brace and bits,

3) Wedge:

A wedge is used to split an object through the application of force. It is made up of two inclined planes which meet to form a sharp edge. Wedges are used to split things.

Examples: Knives, axe. Forks, pin, chisels.

An inclined plane is a flat surface that is higher on one end, which makes it easier to move heavy objects to a certain height.

Examples: Roller coaster, stirs, sloping roads, ramps, boat propeller,

The wheel and axle is made up of two circular objects. The wheel is the larger object which turns around the smaller object the axle. The axle is a rod that goes through the wheel which allows the wheel to turn,

Examples: Door knobs, Egg beater, Steering wheels, door knobs, pencil sharpener. Gears are a form of wheels and axles

6) Lever:

This is a is a bar rests on a turning point. The turning point is the fulcrum. An object the lever moves is the load. There are three kinds of levers, First order, Second order and third order.

In a first class lever the fulcrum is in the middle and the load and effort is on either side.

Example: see saw

In a second class lever the fulcrum is at the end, with the load in the Middle.

Example: wheelbarrow

In a third class lever the fulcrum is again at the end, but the effort is in the middle.

Example: Pair of tweezers.

Advantage of using the six simple machines:
These six simple machines are used in day to day life. They make the work easier for us. Simple machines are being used hundreds of years before. Even the great pyramids were build by using the simple machines. The inclined plane was used to move heavy stones for building the pyramids. Different combinations of these six simple machines can be used in the building of complex machines.

Sub Topics

The effort is the force applied to the machine.

The load is the force against which the machine does the work.

This ratio is a measure of the advantage that one obtains by using the machine. If a load of 40 N is moved by applying an effort of 10 N on the machine then the mechanical advantage of the machine is given by

Velocity Ratio (V.R)

The "corresponding distance" is the distance moved by the load in the same time as the distance moved by the effort.

The velocity ratio depends only on the design of the machine and is always same for a particular machine. The mechanical advantage on the other hand can vary for a particular machine as it depends on friction.

M.A., V.R. and efficiency have no units as they are ratios between similar quantities.

Effort: The force applied to the machine.

Load: The force against which the machine does the work.

Since the effort does the work on the machine and the load is worked upon by the machine, efficiency can also be expressed as

The efficiency is very often expressed as a percentage i.e.,

It should be noted that 100% efficiency is possible only for an ideal (imaginary) machine. Usually, for all practical purposes the efficiency of a machine is always less than 100%. This is because practical M.A. is always less than theoretical M.A. due to friction and the weight of the moving parts.

How Simple Machines Work

What is a simple machine and how do they work? I"m so glad you asked! Machines make work easier by changing the size of force, direction of force, or distance the force acts on.

Lifting a car with a flat tire and loosening the lugnuts can be accomplished by a single person thanks to simple machines. The jack and lug wrench are simple machines that alter the force needed to change the tire.

Six Simple Machines

Simple machines are basic devices used to alter the force needed to accomplish a task. There are six types of simple machines.

• lever
• wheel and axle
• inclined plane
• wedge
• screw
• pulley

The first type of simple machine is the lever. A lever is a rigid bar that rotates on the fixed point of a fulcrum and changes the distance or size of a force.

There are three classes of levers. A first class lever has an input force and output force on either side of the fulcrum. This causes the output to move in the opposite direction of the the input force. An example of a first class lever is a see-saw. A second class lever has an output force between the input force and fulcrum. This changes the distance of the force. A wheelbarrow is a second class lever. The third class lever has the input force between the output and fulcrum. A broom is a third class lever.

Wheel and Axle

The wheel and axle make work easier by changing the distance the force acts on. A wheel and axle consists of two disks or

cylinders with different radiuses. Examples are a steering wheel and shaft, a car wheel and axle, and a screwdriver.

Inclined Plane

An inclined plane is a slanted surface on which a force can move an object to a different elevation. Why do gentler slopes and ramps require less energy to move a load on? Because the input force required to travel the greater distance of a slope is changed to the smaller distance of the output force – the upward motion.

A wedge is a device made of two back to back inclined planes and is used to split objects. When a wedge is driven into a log, the size of the input force at the wider top of the wedge is changed to greater output force at the narrower point forcing the wedge through the wood. Knife blades are an example of a wedge.

A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. Screws with threads closer together require

less force to turn because the length of the inclined plane is longer. Nuts and bolts are screws. A nut is a screw with the threads on the inside.

The last type of simple machine is the pulley. A pulley consists of a rope that fits into a groove in a wheel. A pulley makes work easier by changing the direction or direction and size of the force.

There are three types of pulleys . They are the fixed pulley, moveable pulley and pulley system.

The fixed pulley is a single fixed pulley and rope. This changes the output direction of the force, making it opposite of the input. When you pull down on a fixed pulley a weight is lifted up.

A moveable pulley is fixed to the object being moved instead of a fixed location. Moveable pulleys multiply the input force needed to lift a heavy object thus reducing the force needed to lift heavy objects. Moveable pulleys are used to move ship sails and window washer platforms.

Pulley systems combine fixed and moveable pulleys to create large mechanical advantages. A crane uses pulley systems to lift enormous loads like locomotives.

References

• Michael Wysession, David Frank, Sophia Yancopoulos. Physical Science Concepts in Action. p.417 – 435. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2004.