A simple machine is a mechanical device that consists of a minimum of moving parts but yet can create an improvement of the output over the input. The improvement could be creating a mechanical advantage or simply changing the direction of the output. Mechanical advantage is the increase of force, distance or speed from the input value.
Around the 16th century, the classic list of simple machines was determined. The list consisted of the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw.
These simple machines can be broken into three classifications: lever simple machines, rotating simple machines, and inclined plane simple machines.
Questions you may have include:
- What do lever simple machines do?
- What do rotating simple machines do?
- What do inclined plane simple machines do?
This lesson will answer those questions. Useful tool: Units Conversion
Lever simple machines
The lever simply consists of a rod or board that pivots on a fulcrum, creating a mechanical advantage or a change in direction.
The lever is a classic simple machine that achieves a mechanical advantage according to the ratio of the output or load arm of the lever divided by the input or effort arm.
The mechanical advantage of a lever can concern force, distance, or speed of the output.
The efficiency of the lever is very high, since the loss due to friction at the fulcrum is low.
Rotating simple machines
Rotating simple machines include rollers, wheel and axle, crank, and pulley.
Rollers
The wheel or roller by itself can make it easier to move objects by overcoming friction.
Wheel and axle
When an axle is added to a wheel, a torque on the axle increases the speed of the outer surface of the wheel. Likewise, turning the wheel from its outer edge increases the force applied from the axle.
Crank
A crank is like a wheel and axle. You can push on the handle of a crank, and it will create a twisting force or torque on the axle. This is a variation of the wheel and axle.
Pulley
A pulley is a wheel and axle, that uses a rope to lift objects. A major purpose of a pulley is to change the direction of the input force. You can pull down one a pulley rope, and the rope will lift the object upward.
Complex set of pulleys
A complex set up pulleys, such as a block-and-tackle configuration, can result in a mechanical advantage. The question is that if it is a complex set, is it still a simple machine? Probably not.
Inclined plane simple machines
Variations of an inclined plane include a ramp, wedge, and screw.
Ramp
The inclined plane or ramp makes raising a weight to a given height easier, according to the angle of the incline. Unfortunately, the resistive force of friction from sliding the object on the ramp can negate the mechanical advantage.
Variations of the inclined plane are the wedge and screw.
Wedge
Although a wedge is considered a simple machine, it is really a special application of an inclined plane.
Screw
The screw is really an inclined plane that is wrapped around a shaft. Turning the shaft around its central axis transforms rotational motion and torque into axial motion and force.
A screw can also act like a wedge, forcing itself into a softer material.
Summary
Simple machines usually exchange using a smaller force over a greater distance to move a heavy object over a short distance. The work required is the same, but the force required is less. The are also simple machines that help to reduce the resistance of friction or such.
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A screwdriver is used to pry the lid off a can of paint. What type of lever is the screwdriver in this instance? 1st Class Lever 2nd Class Lever 3rd Class Lever It’s actually acting as an inclined plane. 10
12
3.0
8.3
25
75
10
29
1.7
3.5
28
350
10
Participant Scores
12
Jacob
Joey
Daniel
David
Nicole B.
A single pulley is used to hoist a safe with a mass of 45. 0 kg
A single pulley is used to hoist a safe with a mass of 45.0 kg. If the machine is 100% efficient, what effort force will be required to hoist the safe?
45.0 N
90.0 N
205 N
266 N
441 N
10
A snow shovel is an example of which type of lever? (Hint: The handle of the shovel is the fulcrum.)
1st Class
2nd Class
3rd Class
10
How long must an inclined plane be to push a 100 kg object to a height of 2.0 meters using a force of 200 N? Friction can be ignored.
2.0 m
9.8 m
50 m
100 m
200 m
400 m
10
A wheel and axle machine requires an effort force of 5.0 N to lift a load with a mass of 5.1 kg. If the machine is ideal and has a wheel radius of 12 cm, what is the radius of the axle?
1.0 cm
1.2 cm
5.0 cm
10 cm
1.2 m
2.4 m
10
Participant Scores
28
Jacob
Joey
Daniel
David
Mackenzie
20 N
25 N
196 N
245 N
1960 N
Answer Now
10
What force will be required to push a 500 N box to a height of 2.50 meters on a ramp that is 10.0 meters long and 85% efficient?
4.00 N
50.0 N
106
125 N
147 N
10
1
2
3
4
5
10
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
Answer Now
10
Participant Scores
44
Jacob
Mackenzie
39
Nicole F.
Joey
Daniel
A ramp is 12 meters long and 3.0 meters high. It takes 145 N of force to push a 400 N crate up the ramp. Determine the efficiency of the ramp.
.36 %
.69 %
3.0 %
8.2 %
36 %
69 %
145 %
10
An object is placed 1. 75 meters from the fulcrum of a lever
An object is placed 1.75 meters from the fulcrum of a lever. The effort force is 0.50 meters from the fulcrum. What is the actual mechanical advantage if the lever is 95% efficient?
.271
.286
.301
3.33
3.50
3.68
Answer Now
10
20%
31%
69%
80%
87%
96%
Answer Now
10
Participant Scores
56
Jacob
Mackenzie
51
Nicole F.
Joey
Daniel
A certain ramp is 10 meters long and is 50% efficient
A certain ramp is 10 meters long and is 50% efficient. It requires 25 N of force to push a 50 N crate up the ramp. How tall is the ramp?
1.0 m
2.0 m
2.5 m
3.5 m
4.0 m
5.0 m
22
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Topic: Simple Machines PSSA: 3.4.7.C / S8.C.3.1
Objective: TLW compare different types of simple machines. TLW compare different types of simple machines. TLW explain the difference between a simple machine and a compound machine. TLW explain the difference between a simple machine and a compound machine.
MI #1: Levers A lever is a simple machine that has a bar that pivots on a fixed point called a fulcrum. A lever is a simple machine that has a bar that pivots on a fixed point called a fulcrum. Levers are classified based on the location of the input force, load, and the fulcrum. Levers are classified based on the location of the input force, load, and the fulcrum.
MI #2: Classes of Levers First class levers have the fulcrum between the input force and the load. First class levers have the fulcrum between the input force and the load. - Includes see-saws Second class levers have the load between the input force and the fulcrum. Second class levers have the load between the input force and the fulcrum. - Includes wheelbarrows Third class levers have the input force between the load and the fulcrum. Third class levers have the input force between the load and the fulcrum. - Includes hammers and fishing poles
Mi #3: Pulleys A pulley is a simple machine that has a grooved wheel that holds a rope or a chain. A pulley is a simple machine that has a grooved wheel that holds a rope or a chain. There are three types of pulleys; fixed, movable, and block and tackle. There are three types of pulleys; fixed, movable, and block and tackle.
MI #4: Wheel and Axle A wheel and axle consists of two circular objects of different sizes that rotate on the same axis. A wheel and axle consists of two circular objects of different sizes that rotate on the same axis. The axle rotates a smaller distance than the wheel, which results in a greater output force. The axle rotates a smaller distance than the wheel, which results in a greater output force.
MI #5: Inclined Planes An inclined plane is a straight slanted surface. An inclined plane is a straight slanted surface. A wedge is a pair of inclined planes that move. A wedge is a pair of inclined planes that move. A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder.
MI #6: Compound Machines A compound machine is a machine that is made of two or more simple machines working together. A compound machine is a machine that is made of two or more simple machines working together. Because compound machines have more moving parts, their mechanical efficiency is typically low. Because compound machines have more moving parts, their mechanical efficiency is typically low.
So What…? Real Life Application Machines make work easier, so it is important to understand the different types of simple machines. Machines make work easier, so it is important to understand the different types of simple machines.
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After exploring some or all of the websites below, complete one or more of these activities: Investigate Wheels with Your Bicycle. Go to PBS Teachersource"s website and use your bicycle to learn about the wheel. Find Out How Stuff Works. Check out How Stuff Works . Look for a device that uses a simple machine as part of how it works. Create a poster showing how it works. Gear Up with a Tricycle & Bicycle. Visit PBS Teachersource"s site and follow the procedures there to learn a lot more about gears. Complete a Simple Machines WebQuest. Follow or adapt the procedures found at one of these webQuest sites: 1) Exploring Simple Machines by Paula Markowitz (Grade 4) http://www.lakelandschools.org/EDTECH/Machines/Machines.htm 2) Simple Machines http://www.eng.iastate.edu/twt/Course/packet/labs/wheels&leverLab.htm 3) Simple Machines WebQuest (Grade 4-6) http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/hschool/webq/webq8/jjquest.htm 4) Simple Machines http://www.beth.k12.pa.us/schools/wwwclass/mcosgrove/simple.htm 5) Simple Machines Webquest http://www.jsd.k12.ak.us/ab/el/simplemachines.html Complete an Online Simple Machines Activity. Learn more about simple machines by following the directions at A Time for Simple Machines . You may also want to test your knowledge at Gadget Anatomy . Complete Some Simple Machine Experiments. Find lots of experiments at sites like Marvelous Machines and Motion, Energy and Simple Machines . |
A lever is 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 usually so small that it is not considered a factor to overcome, as in other simple machines.
A lever consists of a rigid bar or beam that is allowed to rotate or pivot about a fulcrum. An applied force is then used to move a load. There are three common types or classes of levers, depending on where the fulcrum and applied force is located.
The mechanical advantage is that you can move a heavy object using less force than the weight of the object, you can propel an object faster by applying a force at a slower speed, or you can move an object further than the distance you apply to the lever.
Questions you may have include:
- What are the parts of a lever?
- What are the three types or classes of levers?
- What are the uses for a lever?
This lesson will answer those questions. Useful tool: Units Conversion
A typical lever consists of a solid board or rod that can pivot about a point or fulcrum . Since humans usually provide energy to levers, "effort" and "load" are often used instead of input and output.
An input force or effort is applied, resulting in moving or applying an output force to a load .
The distance from the applied force or effort force to the fulcrum is called the effort or input arm and the distance from the load to the fulcrum is called the load or output arm .
Since there is typically a very small amount of friction at the fulcrum, overcoming friction is not a factor in a lever as it might be in another simple machine like a ramp or wedge. Thus, we consider a lever a pure simple machine.
Lever configurations
There are three types or classes of levers, according to where the load and effort are located with respect to the fulcrum.
Class 1
A class 1 lever has the fulcrum placed between the effort and load. The movement of the load is in the opposite direction of the movement of the effort. This is the most typical lever configuration.
Class 2
A class 2 lever has the load between the effort and the fulcrum. In this type of lever, the movement of the load is in the same direction as that of the effort. Note that the length of the effort arm goes all the way to the fulcrum and is always greater than the length of the load arm in a class 2 lever.
Class 3
A class 3 lever has the effort between the load and the fulcrum. Both the effort and load are in the same direction. Because of the configuration, the fulcrum must prevent the lever beam from moving upward or downward. Often a bearing is used to allow the beam to pivot.
Note that the length of the load arm goes all the way to the fulcrum and is always greater than the length of the effort arm in a class 3 lever. The result is a force mechanical advantage less than 1.
Uses for a lever
The reason for a lever is that you can use it for a mechanical advantage in lifting heavy loads, moving things a greater distance or increasing the speed of an object.
Increase force
Increase distance moved
You can increase the applied force in order to lift heavier loads.
Increase speed
You can increase the speed that the load moves with Class 1 or Class 3 levers.
Summary
A lever is a simple machine that allows you to gain a mechanical advantage. It consists of a consists of a rigid bar or beam that is allowed to rotate or pivot about a fulcrum, along with an applied force and load. The three types or classes of levers, depend on where the fulcrum and applied force is located.
Uses for a lever are that you can move a heavy object using less force than the weight of the object, propel an object faster by applying a force at a slower speed, or move an object further than the distance you apply to the lever.
Leveraging gives you an advantage