Simple Machines Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is a simple machine?
It is a tool that allows a job to be done with less energy.
What are the six basic categories of simple machines?
Inclined plane, Wedge, Screw, Wheel and Axle, Pulley, and Lever.
What is an inclined plane?
It is a flat surface placed at an angle between a horizontal and raised surface.
How does an inclined plane reduce the amount of force required to lift an object?
It spreads the force over a longer distance.
What is an example of an inclined plane?
A ramp.
What is a wedge?
It is an inclined plane that is used to push two objects apart.
How does a wedge work?
By applying the front edge of the wedge to the opening in between two objects and then applying force to the wedge the amount of force used to separate two objects is decreased.
What is an example of a wedge?
An axe.
What is a screw?
It is an inclined plane wrapped around an axis.
How does a screw work?
When applied to a small opening in an object, turning the screw will force the object to wrap around the axis allowing the screw to travel more easily into it or for the material to move along the axis of the screw.
How does the screw reduce the amount of energy needed?
By transforming rotational motion into translational motion.
What is an example of a screw?
A water screw.
What are the three different applications of an inclined plane?
Ramp, Wedge, and Screw.
How does a wheel and axle work?
One application of a wheel reduces friction between the surface and the object being used.
The larger the wheel compared to its axle….?
The less force required to move the object over a same distance.
What is a pulley?
A pulley is a wheel with a groove in its side and a rope sitting along the groove.
How does a pulley reduce the amount of force needed to lift an object?
By attaching the rope to the object that needs to be lifted and pulling down on the other end of the rope.
Every time you add a pulley, how much does the force required to lift the object reduce by?
A fraction.
If there are three pulleys how much force is needed to lift the object?
1/3 of the force.
What are the two components of a lever?
A lever arm and a fulcrum.
What is a fulcrum?
It is the point around which a lever arm will rotate.
How does a first class lever work?
It’s has a fulcrum in the middle and effort at one end which will cause movement on the opposite end.
How does a second class lever work?
It has the fulcrum at one end, effort at the other and resistance in the middle making the effort and resistance move in the same direction.
How does a third class lever work?
It has the fulcrum at one end, resistance at the other and the effort is in the middle.
