Simple Machines

SOL 3.2
By Ms. Weinberg

A. Weinberg

Simple machines are

tools used to make work
easier.

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You have probably used some

simple machines, but did not
realize that they were actually
called simple machines!

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Simple machines do not make

less work; they just make it easier
to do work.

It would be hard to cut this wood

without the saw!

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There are 6 different types of

simple machines:
(1)leve
r
(2)scre
w
(3)pulle
y
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(4)wheel & axle

(5)inclined
plane
(6)wedg
e

(1)
LEVER
A lever is a stiff bar that moves
about a fixed point (fulcrum).

A lever is used to push, pull, or lift

things.
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A shovel is an example of a
lever.

A seesaw is another example of a

lever.
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(2)
SCREW
A screw is an inclined plane
wrapped around a cylinder or cone.

A common use of the screw is to

hold objects together.
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A jar lid and a wood screw are

examples of a screw.

So far we have learned about 2 types of simple machines:

levers & screws.
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(3) PULLEY
A pulley is a wheel that has a rope
wrapped around it.

Pulleys can be used to lift heavy

objects by changing the direction
or amount of the force.
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A flagpole uses a pulley to raise

the flag.

Now we have learned about 3 types of simple machines:

levers, screws, and pulleys..
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(4) WHEEL &

AXLE
A wheel & axle consists of a rod
attached to a wheel.

A wheel & axle makes it easier to

move or turn things.
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A bicycle wheel, roller skates, and a

doorknob are all examples of a wheel
& axle.

We now know about 4 types of simple machines: levers,

screws, pulleys, and wheels & axles.
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(5) INCLINED
PLANE
An inclined plane is a flat surface
that is raised so that one end is
higher than the other.

An inclined plane helps move

heavy objects up or down.
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A ramp is an example of an
inclined plane.

Lets add inclined plane to our list of simple machines

(along
with levers, screws, pulleys, and wheels & axles).
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(6) WEDGE
A wedge is wide at one end and
pointed at the other to help cut or
split other objects.

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Examples of wedges: a knife or

an ax

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Now you know about the 6 types of

simple machines:
(4) WHEEL
& AXLE

(1) LEVER

(2) SCREW
(3) PULLEY

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(5)
INCLINED
PLANE
(6) WEDGE

These simple machines make

work easier!

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The End!

A. Weinberg