Ch. 7: Simple Machines, Work, and Torque

Vocabulary flashcards defining core concepts of physics including simple machines, mechanical advantage, work, levers, pulleys, torque, and equilibrium.

Machine

Anything that can reduce the amount of force required to do work and/or change the direction in which force is exerted.

Inclined plane

A flat surface, such as a ramp or board, that allows an object to be moved upward using less force over a greater distance.

Mechanical advantage

The factor by which a machine reduces the force required to perform work, calculated for a ramp by dividing the ramp length by the straight-up height.

Lever

A simple machine consisting of a rigid beam or board that rotates around a support point to move or lift loads.

Fulcrum

The support point or pivot around which a lever or rotating machine turns.

Pulley

A machine that changes the direction of an applied force without changing the force magnitude, providing a mechanical advantage of $1$.

Block and tackle

A pulley system arrangement using multiple pulleys wrapped with a cord to multiply mechanical advantage.

Torque

The tendency of a force to cause rotation around a fulcrum, calculated as $\tau = r \times F$, where $r$ is the lever arm and $F$ is the perpendicular force.

Lever arm

The distance $r$ from the point where force is applied to the fulcrum or point of rotation.

Torque wrench

A specialized wrench that measures applied torque so that bolts are tightened with precise force without damaging gaskets.

Equilibrium

The state where equal torques act on opposite sides of a fulcrum, causing a lever to remain balanced without rotating.