Simple Machines

Simple Machine:

A machine that does work with only one motion. They change the direction or amount of force in order to make work easier. They don’t create force, they only transform it.

Work

When a force moves an object or changes its position.

Formula for Work

Force (N) X distance (m)

Formula for Force

Work (J)/ distance (m)

Formula for distance

Work (J)/Force (N)

Input Force

The force supplied to a machine in order to work.

Output Force

The force that the machine creates when the input force is supplied.

Power

The rate at which work is done or the amount of work per unit of time.

Formula for Power

Work (J)/time (s)

Formula for Work

Power (W) X time (s)

Formula for time

Work (J)/ Power (W)

The 6 Basic Simple Machines

Screw, Lever, Inclined Plane, Wedge, Pulley, Wheel and Axle

Mechanical Advantage

How much a machine changes the input force.

Three parts of a lever

Fulcrum, Load, and Effort

First Class Lever

A lever where the fulcrum is placed between the load and effort. In these levers, the further away from the fulcrum you apply the force, the easier it is to lift up the object.

Second Class Lever

A lever where the load is between the effort and the fulcrum. In these levers, the effort always travels a large distance and is less than the load.

Third Class Lever

A lever where the effort is between the fulcrum and the load. In these levers, the effort always travels a similar distance and must be a greater than the load.