2. Introduction
Introduction
Simple machines are machines with few or
Simple machines are machines with few or
no moving parts.
no moving parts.
Simple machines will be our next Science
Simple machines will be our next Science
unit.
unit.
3. Kinds of Simple Machines
Kinds of Simple Machines
We will be learning about the six simple
We will be learning about the six simple
machines. They are:
machines. They are:
1. Lever
1. Lever
2. Inclined Plane
2. Inclined Plane
3. Wedge
3. Wedge
4. Screw
4. Screw
5. Wheel and Axle
5. Wheel and Axle
6. Pulley
6. Pulley
4. Energy and Work
Energy and Work
Suppose you needed to move an object.
Suppose you needed to move an object.
You might use tools to help you. Simple
You might use tools to help you. Simple
machines are tools that use energy to do
machines are tools that use energy to do
work.
work.
Energy is the ability to do work.
Energy is the ability to do work.
Work is done whenever force makes an
Work is done whenever force makes an
object move.
object move.
5. Lever
Lever
Levers have four basic parts:
Levers have four basic parts:
Beam- The lever, a wooden plank or metal bar
Beam- The lever, a wooden plank or metal bar
resting on the fulcrum.
resting on the fulcrum.
Fulcrum- the pivot or the turning point.
Fulcrum- the pivot or the turning point.
Force- the effort or input needed to move the
Force- the effort or input needed to move the
beam and load.
beam and load.
Load- the item or object being moved or lifted
Load- the item or object being moved or lifted
on the plank.
on the plank.
6. What is a Lever?
What is a Lever?
Wheelbarrows, shovels, brooms, boat oars, crow
Wheelbarrows, shovels, brooms, boat oars, crow
bars, and bottle openers are all examples of levers.
bars, and bottle openers are all examples of levers.
When pulling a nail, the nail is the Load, the
When pulling a nail, the nail is the Load, the
Fulcrum is head of the hammer, and the Force is
Fulcrum is head of the hammer, and the Force is
at the other end of the handle, which is the Beam.
at the other end of the handle, which is the Beam.
The Load (nail) and Fulcrum are close to each
The Load (nail) and Fulcrum are close to each
other which makes it easier to remove a nail with
other which makes it easier to remove a nail with
the hammer.
the hammer.
7. What is an Inclined Plane?
One end of an inclined plane is higher than
One end of an inclined plane is higher than
the other end.
the other end.
A ramp is an inclined plane that helps move
A ramp is an inclined plane that helps move
objects.
objects.
You can use an inclined plane to help move
You can use an inclined plane to help move
an object to a higher or lower place.
an object to a higher or lower place.
8. Wedge
A wedge is a simple machine used to push
A wedge is a simple machine used to push
objects apart.
objects apart.
A wedge is a simple machine that almost
A wedge is a simple machine that almost
looks like a ramp or an inclined plane. It is
looks like a ramp or an inclined plane. It is
thick on one end and usually thins out to a
thick on one end and usually thins out to a
sharp edge on the other end.
sharp edge on the other end.
9. What is a Wedge?
A doorstop is a wedge.
A doorstop is a wedge.
An ax is a wedge that splits wood.
An ax is a wedge that splits wood.
Other common examples of wedges include
shovels, teeth, some screwdrivers, a knife, a
needle, scissors, push pins, and tacks
10. Screw
A screw is an inclined plane wrapped
A screw is an inclined plane wrapped
around a cylinder.
around a cylinder.
A screw can be used to hold objects
A screw can be used to hold objects
together.
together.
11. What is a Screw?
There are many other examples of screws
There are many other examples of screws
including the grooves on a jar or bottle lids,
including the grooves on a jar or bottle lids,
the end of light bulbs, water faucets and
the end of light bulbs, water faucets and
hoses, bottle caps, gas tank caps on cars,
hoses, bottle caps, gas tank caps on cars,
and many others.
and many others.
12. What is a Wheel and Axle?
A wheel and axle is a simple machine made
A wheel and axle is a simple machine made
of a rod attached to the center of a wheel.
of a rod attached to the center of a wheel.
The axle, or rod, turns when you put force
The axle, or rod, turns when you put force
on the wheel.
on the wheel.
You probably have seen a wheel and axle
You probably have seen a wheel and axle
on scooters, cars, roller skates, and wagons.
on scooters, cars, roller skates, and wagons.
13. Pulley?
A pulley is a wheel with a groove in it, and
A pulley is a wheel with a groove in it, and
a rope in the groove.
a rope in the groove.
You can use a pulley to move a load up,
You can use a pulley to move a load up,
down or sideways.
down or sideways.
14. What is a Pulley?
Pulleys are used in window blinds, on ships
to raise and lower sails, elevators, exercise
equipment, theater curtains, garage doors
and more.
15. Why use simple machines?
Simple machines are important to us in our
Simple machines are important to us in our
daily life.
daily life.
They help us do work.
They help us do work.
They make our lives easier.
They make our lives easier.
