Simple Machines Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is a simple machine?
A simple machine is something that makes work easier by changing how you push or pull on something.
Name one example of a simple machine.
A ramp –> A ramp helps you push something up or down easier. For example it is way easier to push a wheelbarrow up a ramp than lifting something up a ladder. This is because the force of the push or pull is less.
Name three simple machines that use a wheel and axle to make work easier for us.
- A wheelbarrow –> Rolls easily to move heavy things.
- A doorknob –> The axle moves parts inside the door when you turn the knob.
- A water well –> When the wheel is turned , the chain wraps around the axle and raises the bucket full of water.
Explain what a pulley is.
A pulley is a simple machine made of a wheel with a rope or cable looped around it. It is used to lift or move heavy objects more easily.
Name three different ways pulleys are being used for.
- On a farm to lift something up and down to the loft
- To raise and lower flags
- To raise and lower sails on sailboats
How would you describe a lever?
A lever is a simple machine made of a stiff bar or plank that rests on a fixed point called a fulcrum. It helps you lift or move heavy objects by using less effort.
List three objects that use a lever.
- A shovel
- A latch to open/close a fence gate
- A broom
What is a compound machine?
A compound machine is two or more simple machines combined in the same device.
Name three examples for compound machines.
- A shovel (Lever + Wedge)
- Scissors (Two levers + Wedges)
- A plow (Wedges + Wheel and Axle0
Who was Archimedes and what did he invent?
Archimedes was a famous ancient Greek mathematician, inventor, and scientist who lived over 2,000 years ago. One of his most well-known inventions is the Archimedes’ screw — a simple machine that lifts water from a lower level to a higher one, often used to move water for farming.
