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The Lever (Crowbar or Claw Hammer)

This document describes six simple machines: the lever, wedge, wheel and axle, screw, inclined plane, and pulley. It explains how each machine works by converting or transferring a force to gain a mechanical advantage, such as magnifying a small force or moving a heavy object more easily. The lever multiplies force by using a fulcrum to trade force for distance. The wedge splits objects using a force applied perpendicular to its angled sides. The wheel and axle transfers rotational force between a large wheel and smaller axle. A screw converts rotational motion into linear motion. An inclined plane reduces the force needed to lift an object by exchanging force for a longer distance. Pulleys can change the direction of an applied

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Gener Lyllwyn
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120 views2 pages

The Lever (Crowbar or Claw Hammer)

This document describes six simple machines: the lever, wedge, wheel and axle, screw, inclined plane, and pulley. It explains how each machine works by converting or transferring a force to gain a mechanical advantage, such as magnifying a small force or moving a heavy object more easily. The lever multiplies force by using a fulcrum to trade force for distance. The wedge splits objects using a force applied perpendicular to its angled sides. The wheel and axle transfers rotational force between a large wheel and smaller axle. A screw converts rotational motion into linear motion. An inclined plane reduces the force needed to lift an object by exchanging force for a longer distance. Pulleys can change the direction of an applied

Uploaded by

Gener Lyllwyn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The lever (crowbar or claw hammer)

Consists of a stiff beam that rotates around a


fixed pivot point (fulcrum) located somewhere
along the beam. Motion at one end of the beam
results in motion at the other end in the opposite
direction. The location of the fulcrum can magnify
(or reduce) the force applied at one end at the
expense (or advantage) of the distance over
which the other end travels.

The wedge (log splitter or knife)


Is used to convert a force applied in the direction
of the wedge’s movement to a splitting action that
acts at right angles to the blade. It is often used to
split, cut or raise heavy objects depending on the
angle of the sides of the wedge.

The wheel and axle (steering wheel or


screwdriver)
Combines a wheel with a central fixed axle which
ensures that both must rotate together. A small
force applied at the edge of the wheel is
converted by rotation to a more powerful force at
the smaller axle. This effect can be reversed by
applying a large force to the smaller axle resulting
in a smaller force at the edge of the larger wheel
with much greater rotational speed.
The screw (scissors style car jack or window
winder)
The rotation of a threaded shaft can be converted
into movement in either direction along the axis of
rotation depending on the direction of its spiral
thread. A screw acts like an ‘incline plane’ that
has been wound around a shaft. They are
commonly used with gears or as a fastening
mechanism.

Incline plane (ramp or staircase)


Is commonly used to raise or lower heavy objects.
The large movement of the object along the ramp
is converted by the angle of the ramp’s elevation
into a smaller vertical movement. Given the
friction on the ramp is small, a reduced force is
needed to raise a heavy object vertically although
it must be moved a greater distance along the
ramp to achieve this advantage.

Pulley (block or curtain cord)


The use of a single fixed pulley and attached cord
allows for a change in the direction of the force
applied to an object. Although a single overhead
pulley provides no mechanical advantage it may
be helpful, for example, in allowing a lifting force
to be better achieved by redirecting the force
down towards the ground to raise an object.
Pulleys can be used in complex combinations to
provide large mechanical advantages such as
with the design of a ‘block and tackle’.

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