Simple Machines

Prepared by: Teacher Fred

Learning Objectives:
• Define simple machine;
• Enumerate the different types of simple
machines;
• Name examples for every simple machine.
Question:
•What is the purpose of a ramp?
Question:
• You’re nailing a nail into a big
board, but the nail bends. How will
you remove it from the board?
Question:
• What do an axe, a knife and a fork
all have in common?
Before machines were invented, people used
a lot of force and energy to do everything by
hand. They have researched and invented
machines to make their work lighter and
easier.
The word “machine” comes from the Greek
word “mechos”, which means something that
make easy. In Latin, machine is “machina,”
meaning device.
 Simple Machines- are devices or tools that
help make work easy and fast.

Simple Machines can help us in many ways:

1. Machines can increase or multiply force.
2. Machine can change the direction of a
force.
3. Machines can increase or multiply the
speed and distance of a force.
4. Machines can change energy from one
form to another.
1. Lever
-is a rigid straight or curved bar that is
used to push, pull and lift objects. A lever
has three parts, namely: the fulcrum, the
effort and the resistance.
-is a board or bar that rests on a turning
point. This turning point is called the
fulcrum.
LEVER
Examples of a Lever
-hammer -fishing rod
-crow bar -spoon
-bottle opener -ladder
-plier
-tongs
-scissors
-wheel barrow
2. Inclined Plane
-is a flat surface with one end higher than
the other end.
- You can use this machine to move an
object to a lower or higher place.
-People use inclined planes to gradually
raise or lower objects.
-A ramp, a stairway, a plank, an escalator
and the sloping floor of theatres,
auditoriums or supermarkets are
examples of inclined planes.
-Your experiences with inclined planes include climbing
stairs, coasting down a slanted driveway or walking up a
hill. Heavy boxes are usually lifted into the truck with
ramp.
-Using an inclined plane makes you exert less force in
moving up heavy objects than when lifting it directly
upward. The weight of the object is partly supported by
the inclined plane.

-Inclined planes are often seen at drydocks, factories

and construction sites.

-Special ramp for disabled persons is made in malls,

supermarkets and other buildings.
Examples of a Inclined plane
-ramp
-slide
-stairway
-plank
-escalator
-slanted road/drive way
-sloping floor in supermarkets,
theatres and auditoriums.
3. Wedge
-is a simple machine used to push two objects
apart.
-it is made up of two inclined planes. These
planes meet and form a sharp edge. This edge
can split things apart.
-a wedge can be thought of as two inclined
planes placed back to back.
Examples of a Wedge
-knife
-axe
-paper cutter
-pencil sharpener
-nail
-needle
4. Screw
-is a simple machine that is made from
another simple machine. It is actually an
inclined plane the winds around itself.
-it has ridges and is not smooth like a nail.
-some screws are used to lower and raise
things. They are also used to hold objects
together.
-a faucet also has a screw that makes it open
or close. Sometimes, a screw can also be
used to multiply the force needed to lift an
object.
-a jackscrew can help a person lift a car even
though the force exerted is small. A
corkscrew is used to expertly and quickly
remove the cap or cork opening of a bottle
of wine with less effort.
-A screw is used to bore a hole and lift heavy
objects, hold things together or to drive into a
wood or metal.
-We use screws to fasten the handles of pans,
knives, the door to the wall and other home
appliances.
-Sometimes, a screw can also be used to multiply
the force needed to lift an object. A jackscrew
can help a person lift a car even though the force
exerted is small. A corkscrew is used to expertly
and quickly remove the cap or cork opening of a
bottle of wine with less effort.
Examples of a Screw
-jack screw
-cork screw
-a faucet (has a screw)
-jar lids
-light bulbs
-clamps
-wrenches
-stools
-key rings
-spiral staircase
5. Wheel and Axle
-You have probably seen a wheel and
axle on a car. The axle turns when you
put force on the wheel.
- The axle is a rod the goes through the
wheel. This lets the wheel turn. It is
easy to move things from place to
place with wheels and axle.
-Every time you turn a doorknob, you
use a wheel and axle. Bicycle pedal,
screw driver and egg beater are wheel
and axle machines. A wheel and axle
combination consists of a big wheel
and a smaller wheel plus a rod that
increases the effect of force by turning
them together.
A wheel and axle is a simple machine
consisting of a large wheel connected
to a shaft called axle.
When the wheel turns the axle, there is
a gain in force. The wheel makes you
exert less force to turn the axle.
Bicycle pedal, wheels of a bicycle,
pencil sharpener, screw driver and egg
beater, meat grinder are wheel and
axle machines.
Examples of a Wheel and Axle
-cars
-roller skates
-door knobs
-gears (watches, clocks and bicycles)
-bicycle pedal
-egg beater
-meat grinder
-pencil sharpener
6. Pulley
-This simple machine is made up of a wheel and a rope.
The rope fits the groove of the wheel.
-One part of the is attached to the load. When you pull
on one side of the pulley, the wheel turns and the load
will move.
-Pulley let you move loads up, down or
side ways.
-Pulleys are good for moving objects to hard to reach
places.
-It also makes the work of moving heavy loads a lot
easier.
Examples of a Pulley
-flag poles
-clothes lines
-sail boat
-blinds
-crane
Simple Machines for Kids Learn all about the 6 simple machines!.mp4
Summary:
A simple machine is a device used to make
our work easier and faster
The six (6) simple machines are lever,
pulley, screw, wedge, inclined plane and
wheel and axle.

A lever is a rigid, straight or curve bar

that is fixed at a point and is used to push,
pull and lift objects.

An inclined plane is a simple machine used

to move heavy objects easily.
Summary:
A wedge is an inclined plane used to lift,
cut, slice and pierce objects.

A screw is an incline plane used to hold

things together.

A wheel and axle is made up of a big and

small wheel fastened to each other.

An pulley is a simple used to raise and

lower objects.
Practice and Feedback:
Directions: Look at the pictures below and name whether the following
simple machines are pulley, inclined plane, lever, wedge,
wheel and axle or screw.

____1. ____3. ____5.

____2. ____4. ____6.

____7. ____8. ____9.

____10.
Evaluation:
Directions: Read and analyze carefully. Choose the letter of
the correct answer from the choices. Write only
the letter of your answer in your answer sheet.

____1. Which of the following is an example of a pulley?

A. blade C. scissor
B. crane D. seesaw

____2. What simple machine is used to lift heavy objects?

A. inclined planeC. pulley
B. lever D. wheel and axle
____3. When you want to slice a cake, what simple
machine should you use?
A. inclined plane C. pulley
B. lever D. wedge

____4. Which of the following simple machine has a

slanted surface that is used to connect a lower
surface to a higher one?
A. inclined plane C. wedge
B. lever D. wheel and axle
 
____5. What type of simple machine a bicycle is?
A. inclined plane C. pulley
B. lever D. wheel and axle
____6. Which of the following is NOT an example of a
wedge?
A. blade C. wheel barrow
B. knife D. axe

____7. What kind of simple machine will you use if

you want to hang a picture on the wall?
A. escalator C. slide
B. ladder D. wheel barrow
 
____8. Which of the following is an example of a
screw?
A. axe C. jar lid
B. can opener D. slide
____9. What simple machine is an inclined plane
wrapped around a pole which holds things
together?
A. lever C. screw
B. pulley D. wedge

____10. Which simple machine would make it easiest

to move a heavy object from the ground to
the third floor of the house?
A. lever C. screw
B. pulley D. wheel and axle
 
Answer:
1. B
2. C
3. D
4. A
5. D
6. C
7. B
8. C
9. C
10. B
Assignment
List five (5) safety measures need to be
observed when using simple machines.