Simple Machines Flashcards
Explain an incline plane
Ex. Truck bed with a ramp attached
More distance
4 times the distance equals 1/4 the effort
What are the six simple machines?
What do they do?
- Incline plane
- Wheel and axle
- Lever
- Pulley
- Wedge
- Screw
Simple machines reduce required effort by minimizing friction or spreading effort over greater distance and time
Explain a wheel and axle
- Axle is point around which wheel rotates
2. Wheel reduces friction with the ground
Explain a lever
Ex. Breaking apart an object with a crow bar.
- Hold on opposite end
further Away from the fulcrum
more mechanical advantage - End that is breaking apart
Close to the fulcrum exerts more mechanical effort
Explain the pulley
Rope wrapped around a wheel and axle helps to lift an object
More wheels gives an advantage
** more distance - less effort
Explain the wedge
Wedge breaks apart two objects
Explain the screw
- Screw spins around
2. Wood rides up the incline plane around the screw
What is a fulcrum?
The point across which a lever rotates