Simple Machines

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Simple Machines
Making work easier. One simple machine at a
time!
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What is a Simple Machine?

• A simple machine has few or no moving parts.
• A simple machine is a machine with only one kind
  of movement.
• Simple machines make work easier.
• There is usually a trade off or hidden cost
  that comes with the reduction in effort.

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The Six Simple Machines
pulley
lever
inclined plane
http//cnx.org/content/m23853/latest/
http//www.the-office.com/summerlift/pulleybasics.
htm
wheel axle
screw
http//www.schnauzerlover.com/ramp.htm
wedge
http//www.g9toengineering.com/resources/simplemac
hines.htm
http//makeitgo.wikispaces.com/wedges
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferris_wheel
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Levers

• Levers have a rigid beam with a fulcrum and lever
  arm
• Can you find 12 levers?
• Placing the load near the fulcrum and the effort
  far from the fulcrum allows you the greatest
  mechanical advantage, but is there a hidden cost?

You must lift the load a greater distance!
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Pulleys

• A pulley is made up of a rope or cable that is
  placed over a grooved wheel.
• Can you find 4 pulleys?
• Pulleys can provide a mechanical advantage,
  directional advantage, or both but is there a
  trade off for requiring less effort?

There is an increase in the distance the effort
needs to travel amount of rope Hidden cost
Distance
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Inclined Planes

• Inclined planes are flat surfaces that are higher
  on one end.
• Can you find 6?
• They reduce the effort needed to lift a load.

The trade off for reduced effort is that the load
needs to move a longer distance than if it were
lifted straight up.
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Screws

• A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around an
  axis.
• Can you find 7?
• Screws can allow you to go a steep distance
  gradually, but is there a hidden cost?

You must travel a greater distance!
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Wedges

• Wedges are made up of two inclined planes joined
  back to back. Wedges are used to split things.
• Can you find 4?
• Double wedge B has the greater mechanical
  advantage, is there a hidden cost?

Double wedge B has the greater mechanical
advantage.
You will have to drive it in a greater distance
in order to create the wedge!
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Wheels and Axles

• The axle is a rod that goes through the wheel
  which allows the wheel to turn
• Can you find 8?
•  The larger the wheel, the greater the mechanical
  advantage. What could the hidden cost be?

The larger the wheel, the greater the greater
the distance it must travel.
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Simple Machines

• Simple Machines can be put together in different
  ways to make complex machinery.

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Sum it up!

• Typically, machines are intended to reduce the
  amount of force required to move an object.
• There is always, however, a trade off.
• Distance!
• Remember that simple machines make work
  easier.but we must still work!