Simple Machines

By: Annam Bawani

Wheel & Axle

A wheel and axle rotates in a circle around a fulcrum. A skateboard is a wheel and axle that is used for skating and doing many tricks. It's a wheel and axle because it cuts down on the friction on the surface you are on. A bicycle is used for bicycling, it's a wheel and axle because it rotates around a chain which helps the wheels move.

Wedge

A wedge holds together things or split things apart. A axe is a wedge and is used for cutting down trees and other stuff. A axe is a wedge because it splits things apart with it's sharp end. A zipper is a wedge and is used for zipping up or down sweaters, jackets, or pants. A zipper is a wedge because it splits things apart and holds it together.

Pulley

Pulleys make work easier because it helps you lift things up easily due to gravity. A flagpole is a example of a pulley and it is used for raising up flags or taking them down. A flagpole is a pulley because the flag attached to the rope is lifted up easily. Blinds are an example of a pulley because when you pull on the rope it is lifted up in a minute.

Lever

A lever is a bar that turns on a fulcrum, it results in a motion. A seesaw is used for playing, you sit on it and it goes up and down due to the weight. A seesaw is a lever because when you push down on one side, it results in the other side going up too. A snow shovel is a lever because when you push down to take out snow, it makes the other side come up and throw out the snow.

Screw

A screw always has a grooved surface and when you turn it, it turns on it axle. A screw is used for putting together things or it helps to close something up securely. A screw is a screw because it has a grooved surface and it always turns on it axle. A corkscrew is used for taking off tops off of wine bottles. A corkscrew is a screw because it turns on it axle when it opens somethings.

Inclined Planes

A inclined plane helps us move heavy objects easier and the only thing that stops it is friction. A ramp is used to climb on, to skateboard on, or to put objects on. A ramp is an inclined plane because it helps to move heavy objects easily like a skateboard or boxes. Stairs are used to climb up and down. Stairs are an inclined plane because it helps people move up and down heights.

Compound Machines

A compound machine is two or more simple machines put together like a stapler and a can opener. A stapler is used for stapling paper together. It contains two simple machines a lever and a wedge. A can opener is used for opening cans. It contains four simple machines a gear, wedge, axle, and a lever.