DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

REGION#4

Grade 8 Integrated Science Week 1

1. Understand the difference between a simple and complex machine.

Simple Machines: Simple machines are machines with few or no moving parts. They make work
easier, uses energy to work and change the direction of force. They include lever, screw, wheel and
axle, inclined plane, pulley and wedge.

Complex machines: A complex machine is a machine made up of two or more simple machines
that make your work easier to do. Examples of complex machines are bicycle, wheel barrow,
crane, car jack, lawn mower etc.

2. Know examples of simple and complex or compound machines and their uses
Simple machines
Complex or Compound machines

3. Explain first, second- and third-class lever.

There are three classes of levers
1. First class- has the fulcrum placed between the effort and load. The mechanical
advantage is more if the Load is closer to the fulcrum. Examples of Class One Levers
include seesaws, pliers and crowbar.

2. Second class- In this class, the Load is between the Effort and the Fulcrum. The
mechanical advantage is more if the load is closer to the fulcrum. Examples of Class Two
Levers include wheelbarrows, crowbar and nut cracker
 3. Third class- In this class, the Effort is between the Load and the Fulcrum. The
mechanical advantage is more if the effort is closer to the load. An example of Class
Three Lever is a garden shovel, tweezers and staplers.

4. The human body as a lever

First class lever (nodding) Second class (tiptoeing) Third class (bending arm)
 5. Explain how the single movable, single fixed and block and tackle pulley works

A pulley is a mechanical device that can be used to lift heavily objects more easily. Pulleys
consist of a wheel that rotates on an axle—which is a rod through the center of the wheel—and a
rope, cable, or chain. There are three main types of pulleys: fixed, movable, and compound.

1. A fixed pulley’s wheel and axle stay in one place. A good example of a fixed pulley is a
flag pole: When you pull down on the rope, the direction of force is redirected by the
pulley, and you raise the flag.

2. A movable pulley is a pulley that is free to move up and down, and is attached to a
ceiling or other object by two lengths of the same rope. Examples of movable pulleys
include construction cranes, modern elevators, and some types of weight lifting machines
at the gym.

3. The third type of pulley is the compound pulley, which consists of combinations of fixed
and movable pulleys. A block and tackle is a pulley configuration that contains two or
more individual drums, each containing two or more wheels rotating on the same axle.
The rope loops back and forth between the pulley drums, weaving through the
individual wheels within those drums.
Worksheet for Grade 8-Week 1
Section A.
1. A _____________ changes the direction of the input force.
a. fixed pulley b. movable pulley
2. A wheelbarrow is an example of a ________.
a. second-class lever
b. wheel and axle
c. inclined plane
3. Which of the following describes something simple machines CANNOT do?
a. increase the force you put in
b. increase the work you put in
c. decrease the force you put in
d. decrease the work you put in
4. A____________ is a flat surface, a sloped surface, or a ramp.
a. pulley
b. wheel and axle
c. inclined plane
d. lever
5. An object being lifted or moved by a machine is
a) fulcrum.
b) a load.
c) work.
d) force.
e) friction.

6. A pulley makes work easier by

a) increasing force.
b) increasing distance.
c) changing the direction of force.
d) none of the above.
7. The amount of work a machine puts out compared to the amount of work put in is called
a. mechanical advantage
b. efficiency
c. work
d. power
8. The ratio of output force to input force is known as
a. power
b. mechanical advantage
c. efficiency
d. pressure
9. A___________ is a grooved wheel with a rope or cable wrapped around the groove.
a. pulley
b. wheel and axle
c. inclined plane
d. lever
10. A____________ is a rigid plank that pivots or rotates about a fixed point called the fulcrum.
a. pulley
b. wheel and axle
c. inclined plane
d. lever

Section B.
1. In your own words explain the difference between a simple and complex machine.

2. List the types of simple machines and state a feature of each types listed.

3. Identify five items in your home that works as a simple machine. Give at least two examples

4. Explain in your own words who the three classes of levers work and give two examples of
each

5. How the human body function as a lever?

6. There are three main types of pulleys. Fixed, movable and compound pulley. Explain how
these three types of pulleys work.