Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education

ACTIVITY SHEET 2 IN SCIENCE 6

QUARTER 3 - WEEK 7

SIMPLE MACHINES
(Screw, Wheel and Axle, Pulley)

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Manipulate simple machines to describe their characteristics and uses
(S6FE-IIIg-I-3)

Prepared by:

LERMA G. MATIAS
Teacher III
Simple Machine

A simple machine is a device that helps make man’s work easier. It helps us
use our muscle’s power to do work better. It provides force and controls the direction
of force but it cannot create energy.

Machines can help us in four ways:

 All machines can transfer a force from one place to another.

 Some machines can increase the amount of force so that we can lift heavier
objects or exert greater force than we could without it.
 Some machines can change the direction of a force so that we can make
objects move in different directions.
 Some machines can increase the distance and speed of a force so that we
can move things farther and faster.

Let us now take a look at each of the simple machines and how they are used
to do work easier.

The Screw

A screw is an inclined plane wrapped in a spiral around a cylinder post. It is

composed of the body (the cylinder post) and the thread, which is the spiral ridge of
the screw. The threads form tiny ramp that runs around the screw from the tip to the
near top. One complete turn of the screw moves it into the object a distance from one
thread to another. The distance between two consecutive threads is called the pitch
of the screw. The screw gives us a gain in force, but at the expense of distance

The earliest known example of the use of the screw is a water-lifting auger
known as Archimedes’ screw. It is a spiral screw revolving inside a watertight cylinder
that raises water to a great height. Aside from metal screw, this machine is also part
of jar lids, light bulbs, bottle opener and drills.

Some examples of the screw:

The Wheel and Axle

A simple wheel and axle is a machine that has a large wheel connected to a
smaller wheel or shaft called axle.

Here are some facts about the wheel and axle:

 When either the wheel or the axle turns, the other part also turns.
 One complete turn of the wheel produces one complete turn of the axle.
 If the wheel turns but the axle does not, it is not a wheel and axle.

Examples of wheel and axle containing complete wheels are automobile

steering wheels, doorknobs, gear wheels of the bicycle and screwdrivers.

Examples of wheel and axle containing a crank instead of complete wheel are
pencil sharpeners, meat grinders, and eggbeaters.

The wheel and axle is basically a modified lever. The center of the axle serves
as a fulcrum, making the wheel a lever that rotates around in a circle. The radius of
the wheel is the effort arm and the radius of the axle, the resistance arm of the lever.

The Pulley

A pulley is a wheel that turns around the axle. Usually, there is a groove in the
rim of the pulley so that the rope around the pulley will not slip off.

A pulley may be fixed, movable, or a combination of both called block and

tackle.

Types of Pulley

1. Fixed pulley

 does not move

 gives no gain in force, speed, or distance
 acts like a turning first-class lever, with the fulcrum
at the center of the axle, the effort at one rim of the
pulley wheel and the resistance at the other rim.
 used with flagpoles, clotheslines, curtain rod
2. Movable pulley
 moves along the rope
 helps gain in force, but loses in distance
 does not change the direction of the force
 acts like a turning second-class lever, with the fulcrum at one rim of the pulley
wheel, the resistance is at center of the axle, and the effort at the other rim of
the pulley wheel
 used in zip lines to deliver a person/objects from a high area to a low area.

3. Block and tackle pulley

 each fixed pulley changes the direction of the force and each movable pulley
changes the amount of the force
 the more movable pulleys used, the less force will be needed
 used in scaffolds for painters, for construction workers and for billboard poster
men

Simple machines make work our work easier and faster. However, they may
cause accidents if not properly used or handled properly. To avoid getting hurt, do not
play with sharp simple machines. Keep then in a safe place out of reach of children.
When holding a tool, make sure its sharp edge points downward facing the ground,
and in good condition as well. When using wheel and axles like bikes and skateboards
use a helmet and make sure that the wheel and axle are firmly attached to each other.
Name: _______________________________________ Date: ______________
Grade/Section: ________________________________ Score: _____________

Activity 1

Directions: Read each item carefully then write the letter of the correct answer on the
space provided.

______1. What simple machine is made of an inclined plane wrapped around a

cylinder?
a. lever b. pulley c. screw d. wedge

______2. What kind of simple machine is a meat grinder?

a. lever c. pulley
b. screw d. wheel and axle

_____ 3. Jan is using a screwdriver to insert a screw. The screwdriver is being used
as…
a. a pulley c. a screw
b. a lever d. a wheel and axle

_____ 4. A screwdriver can be used to open a can of paint. In which situations is the
screwdriver being used?
a. cutting bread
b. making a hole
c. gluing papers together
d. fastening two boards together

_____ 5. A flagpole is an example of what kind of simple machine?

a. wedge c. lever
b. screw d. pulley
 Activity 2

Matching Type: Match the items with the kind of machine they represent. Write the
letter of the correct answer in your answer sheet.

A B

1. flagpole a. pulley

2. zip lines b. screw

3. caps of jars c. doorknob

4. window blinds d. wheel and axle

5. automobile steering wheel e. jackscrew

Activity 3

Directions: Explain how you use each simple machine at home.

1. doorknob ________________________________________________

2. pulley ________________________________________________

3. sharpener ________________________________________________

4. bicycle wheel ______________________________________________

5. caps of jars ________________________________________________

 Activity 4

Draw at least 5 common simple machines you see or use at home. Choose one to
manipulate and take a video of yourself using the machine. Upload the video in our
911 Klasrum and answer the questions that follow.

Direction: Use this rubric as your reference in doing your activity.

Excellent (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1)

Requirement All requirements All requirements One requirement
were met and were met was met but
exceeded incomplete
Creativity Finished product is Finished product is Finished product is
very attractive and attractive and not so attractive and
presentable. The presentable. The presentable. The
design is neatly design is neatly design is not neatly
done. done. done.
Timeliness Submitted the Submitted the Submitted the
project before the project on time project after the
deadline deadline

1. What are the common simple machines that you use at home?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

2. Why are simple machines important to us?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. Knowing their importance, how would you use these simple machines?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

4. What would be your life without simple machines?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

5. Enumerate at least 5 safety measures in using simple machines.

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
References

Alumaga Marie Jessica B. Science and You Copyright 2016 by Vibal Group, Inc.,
2015

Battad, Mirriam Grace T.,Saclamitao Epifania D.,Science Towards a Healthy and

Progressive Environment,Sunshine Interlinks Publishing House, Inc., 2006

Del Prado, Natividad.,Del Rosario,Rowena.Science and Health 5.Virarish Publication

and Trading Inc. 2007
Gumatay Ana Lorraine P. Science Grade 6 Philippines, Vicarish Publication and
Trading, Inc., 2015

Pad-Pad Evelyn C. et.al. The New Science Links- Worktext in Science and
Technology, Rex Book Store, Inc., 2015
Answer Key

Activity 1 Activity 2

1. a
1. c
2. a
2. d
3. b
3. d
4. a
4. d
5. d
5. d

Activity 3 Activity 4

1. Doorknob - used to lock doors Answers may vary

2. Pulley - used to lift/move heavy

object

3. Sharpener- used to sharpen a

pencil

4. Bicycle wheel- used to transport

people/objects

5. Caps of jars- used to lock jars