Chapter 14 Study Guide: Simple Machines

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to simple machines as outlined in the study guide.

Simple Machine

One of the basic mechanical devices for applying a force, such as an inclined plane, wedge, or lever.

Compound Machine

A combination of two or more simple machines that operate together.

Fulcrum

The fixed point around which a lever rotates.

Lever

A rigid bar that is free to move around a fixed point, known as the pivot point.

First Class Lever

A type of lever where the fulcrum is positioned between the effort and the load.

Second Class Lever

A type of lever where the load is located between the fulcrum and the effort.

Third Class Lever

A type of lever where the effort is positioned between the fulcrum and the load, prioritizing speed over force.

Pulley

A simple machine that consists of a rope that fits into a groove in a wheel.

Movable Pulley

A pulley that changes both the direction and size of the input force.

Fixed Pulley

A pulley that only changes the direction of the input force.

Wedge

A V-shaped object whose sides are two inclined planes sloped toward each other.

Screw

An inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder.

Work

The product of force and distance.

Power

The rate of doing work.

Watt

The SI unit of power.

Horsepower

A unit of power equivalent to 746 watts.

Input Force

The force you exert on a machine.

Output Force

The force exerted by a machine.

Input Distance

The distance over which the input force acts.

Output Distance

The distance over which the output force is exerted.

Efficiency

The percentage of work input that becomes useful work output.

Actual Mechanical Advantage

The ratio of output force to input force.

Ideal Mechanical Advantage

The mechanical advantage in the absence of friction.

Input Work

Work done by the input force acting through the input distance.

Output Work

Output force multiplied by the output distance.