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Science · Forces & motion

Simple machines

Levers, wheels, ramps, pulleys.

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What are simple machines?

Simple machines make work easier. They help us push, pull, or lift things. There are four simple machines we can find around us. They are levers, wheels, ramps, and pulleys. Each one helps us use less force to move something.

Levers

A lever is a bar that turns around a fixed point. The fixed point is called the pivot or fulcrum. When you push down on one end, the other end goes up. A seesaw is a lever. So is a bottle opener. Levers help us lift heavy things more easily.

Wheels and axles

A wheel turns around a rod called an axle. Wheels make things easier to move along the ground. A wheelbarrow has a wheel and axle. So does a bicycle. Rolling is easier than dragging something heavy.

Ramps

A ramp is a sloping surface. It is also called an inclined plane. Ramps let us move things up without lifting them straight up. Pushing a box up a ramp takes less force than lifting it. Wheelchair ramps and slides are both ramps.

Pulleys

A pulley is a wheel with a rope or chain. The rope goes around the wheel. When you pull down on one end, the other end goes up. Flagpoles use pulleys. Pulleys help us lift things by changing the direction of our pull.

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Worked examples

  1. 1. A door handle is which type of simple machine?

    1. A door handle is a bar that turns around a fixed point.
    2. The fixed point is where the handle connects to the door.
    3. This is a lever.
    4. It makes opening the door easier.

  2. 2. Why is it easier to walk up a ramp than stairs?

    1. A ramp is longer than climbing straight up.
    2. You spread the work over a longer distance.
    3. You use less force at each step.
    4. The ramp makes the climb more gradual.

  3. 3. A wheelbarrow uses two simple machines. What are they?

    1. The wheelbarrow has a wheel in front.
    2. The wheel and axle make it easy to roll.
    3. The handles work like a lever.
    4. You push down on the handles to lift the load.

Try it yourself

You need to move a heavy box onto a truck. Which simple machine would make this easiest?

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