Michael hill simple machines

Michael Hill

One of these

simple machines is the

“Lever”, now you might

see the picture and

wonder what is actually a

lever? Well the definition

of a lever is any rigid rod

or type of plank that

pivots, or rotates, about a point. However, Mr.

Leroux’s (La-Rue) defines it as anything you can hold

in your hand. It can be anything such as a light switch,

a quarter, a phone and it also includes objects such as

a wheel barrel. The point about which the lever pivots

is called a fulcrum.

The remote shown in the picture above is a

lever because it can be held in your hand. This type of

lever would be classified as a class three lever

because if you swing it the output force would be

close to your hands, the input force would be in the

middle and the fulcrum would be at the end.

The next simple machine is

the inclined plane--a flat, sloped

surface. Mr.Leroux defines it as

anything that goes from a low

point to a high point. An inclined

plane can be a slanted tabled leg, a

ramp that goes up to a truck, a

latter, or a slide.

The pictures on the right

are inclined planes because they

are flat, slanted, surfaces and go

from a high point to a low point

and vice versa.

An inclined plane can

decrease the amount of work you

need to do but it can also increase

the distance you have to go.

Another simple machine is a

wedge. A wedge is basically a moving

inclined plane. My science teacher Mr.

Leroux’s definition of a wedge is an

object that can go into something else.

If you are wondering what they are,

well like every other simple machine

you use them almost every day.

Examples of wedges include: a knives

your teeth, even a pin (which you

should never use to stab anything or

anyone). Wedges make work easier by

cutting things or tearing into bits. For

example, the knife on the left makes it

easier to cut different foods. And your

teeth are also wedges because when

you put something into your mouth

you bite down and your teeth go INTO your food.

Another simple machine is the

screw, which you are probably already

familiar with. A screw is an inclined plane

wrapped around a cylinder or post. Mr.

Leroux also stated that a screw is anything

that has indentations on it. Types of screws

can vary widely such as screws, light bulbs, and can openers. These

objects all have indentations on them. Screws make work easier

by holding things together.

The pictures on the right are screws

because they each have indentations on

them.

Another simple machine is a wheel and axle, which consists of two

circular objects of different sizes that are attached in such a way

that they will rotate together. Mr. Leroux’s definition of a wheel

and axle is anything with 2 circles that turn with each other. Wheel

and axles can be things such as doorknobs, a steering wheel, tire, a

water spigot, and a Ferris wheel. The pictures below are examples

of wheel and axles because it has two circles that turn with each

other.

Wheel and axles make work easier by helping us to move

thing easier.

The final simple machine is the pulley. Mr. Leroux defines a pulley

as anything that has a rope, cord, cable, etc. There are two types

of pulleys: fixed and moveable. A fixed pulley is when you pull a

rope, cord, or cable down to make something go up. A moveable

pulley when you attach a cord or rope to an object you are lifting.

Pulleys can be objects such as a window blind, a flagpole, and a

ship’s sail. The objects in the pictures below are fixed pulleys

because when you pull down on the string it makes the blinds go

up. They also make work easier because they help you decrease

the amount of force you use to lift something up.