Simple machines are tools that make tasks easier.

All machines are built using one or more simple machines.

Simple machines have very few parts.There are 6 types of simple machines:

pulleylever

wheel and axleinclined plane

wedgescrew

1. pulley• moves heavy objects up and down or across.

• the more pulleys in the system, the less force needed.

Here are some examples of pulleys.

Can you think of other examples of pulleys?

A pulley that raises and lowers blinds.

The pulley that raises and lowers the flag on a flagpole.

2. lever• is a stiff bar that rests on a support called a fulcrum which lifts or

moves loads.

Here are some examples of levers.

bottle opener seesaw

toilet flusher

Can you think of other examples of levers?

crowbarscissors

3. wheel and axle

• Is a wheel with a rod, called an axle, that lifts or moves loads

Here are some examples of wheel and axles.

rolling pin pencil sharpener

ferris wheel

Can you think of other examples of wheel and axels?

bicycle

skates

wagon

4. inclined plane

• is a slanted surface that can be used to raise or lower things.

• does not move.

These are some examples of inclined planes.

wheelchair rampboatramp

Can you think of other examples of inclined planes?

dump truck ladder rollercoaster

5. wedge

• Is 2 inclined planes back to back• a wedge moves; inclined plane doesn’t.• Wedges hold things together or split things

apart.

These are some examples of wedges.

screwdriver

nail

6. screw

• The head of the screw is used to turn or drive the screw into something else.

These are some examples of screws.

swivel stool

bottle lids

corkscrew

Can you think of other examples of screws?

door lock

light bulb

clamp

As you can see, our world is made up of many simple machines. You can find examples any place you

look.

• Simple machines solve the problem of how to do work faster and easier.

• Maybe you can invent a machine that will make some job faster and easier.

1. Do post CFA 6.8 *anytime you see “force” or “work” as an answer option, choose “force” (as in #2)2. Turn in to me3. Do “edheads” activity4. turn in when finished