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Physics library
Course: Physics library > Unit 18
Lesson 11: Simple machines explorationsSimple machines and how to use this tutorial
There are six simple machines. They are as follows: lever, wheel, pulley, incline plane, wedge and screw. This tutorial will cover the first three.
Simple machines can give you a mechanical advantage—in other words they allow you to spread the force you apply to move an object over a distance. This means you don’t have to apply as much force at any given point in time. Simple machines can make it possible for you to lift something or move something that would be too heavy otherwise.
We recommend you use this tutorial in the following order:
1. Watch what is happening between each part in the silent exploration videos.
2. Take notes on what is happening.
3. Define the parts of each simple machine and look at what is happening between them
4. Answer the questions about each silent video.
5. Work the math problems (for algebra 1 and trig students and above)
6. Build and test your own LEGO simple machine and see how friction, machine flex, string stretch, air resistance and other factors influence your simple machine.
Want to join the conversation?
- Why does velocity ratio remain same for every machine?(1 vote)
- Cool i want to see a marshmello shooter please(1 vote)
- an inclined plane wrapped helically around a vertical plane (screw) ?
OBEARCC(0 votes) - Kindly explain velocity ratio(0 votes)
- the ratio of the distance moved by the point at which the effort is applied in a simple machine to the distance moved by the point at which the load is applied, at the same time.
If there is an ideal machine then the velocity will be equal to the mechanical advantage of the machine.(0 votes)
- I have a question, why is there only a few simple machines? Someone plz answer.(0 votes)
- Sorry if this question is kind of irrelevant, but does anyone know where the video is, I found it but all of a sudden, my computer reloaded and it wasn't there anymore! If you have a solution please don't feel afraid to give a few answers, because that would be really helpful! Thank You!
Plz excuse mah grammer(0 votes) - could a wedge hold something really big(0 votes)
- a wedge cannot be used to hold something it is used for splitting, lifting, or tightening, as to secure a hammerhead onto its handle.(0 votes)
- why did they call it simple machines(0 votes)
- They were (and still are) the simplest machines to use in order to go on with our everyday life.(0 votes)
- Technically there are only three simple machines, right?(0 votes)
- No, there are 6 distinct simple machines. Pulley Screw, Wheel, Lever, Wedge, and Inclined plane. I really liked the explanations given at http://iqa.evergreenps.org/science/phy_science/ma.html
Mathematically a Wedge and Inclined plane are similar, but as far as application they are very different tools for different purposes. I'm also not sure which of the other 3 you think are the same but I can assure you there are 5 types of simple machines.(5 votes)
- does lever multiply force(0 votes)