📘 Simple Machines - Notes (Page 1 of 6)

What are Simple Machines?

Simple machines are basic mechanical devices that help us make work easier by either changing the direction or mag-
nitude of force applied.

Why Use Simple Machines?

 To multiply force (Mechanical Advantage)

 To change the direction of effort
 To increase the speed of work (through distance trade-offs)

Basic Terms to Know:

 Load (L): Object to be lifted/moved.

 Effort (E): Force applied to move the load.
 Fulcrum: The pivot point of a lever.
 Mechanical Advantage (M.A.):

M.A.=LoadEffortM.A. = \frac{Load}{Effort}M.A.=EffortLoad

 Velocity Ratio (V.R.):

V.R.=Distance moved by effortDistance moved by loadV.R. = \frac{Distance \ moved \ by \ effort}{Distance \

moved \ by \ load}V.R.=Distance moved by loadDistance moved by effort

 Efficiency (η):

η=M.A.V.R.×100%\eta = \frac{M.A.}{V.R.} \times 100\%η=V.R.M.A.×100%

Ideal Machine:

A machine with 100% efficiency (i.e., no energy loss due to friction or other forces). In reality, no machine is perfectly
efficient.

📘 Simple Machines - Notes (Page 2 of 6)

🔹 Types of Simple Machines

There are six classical simple machines

1. Lever

A rigid bar that rotates around a fixed point (fulcrum) used to lift loads.

Parts of a Lever:

 Fulcrum (F): Fixed point

 Load (L): Object to be moved
 Effort (E): Force applied

🔸 Types of Levers:

Class Order Example Diagram Description

Class I F in the middle Seesaw, scissors E-F-L
 Class Order Example Diagram Description
Class II L in the middle Wheelbarrow, nutcracker F - L - E
Class III E in the middle Tweezers, human arm F-E-L

Formula for M.A. (lever):

M.A.=Effort ArmLoad ArmM.A. = \frac{\text{Effort Arm}}{\text{Load Arm}}M.A.=Load ArmEffort Arm

2. Pulley

A grooved wheel over which a rope passes to lift or lower a load.

Types of Pulleys:

 Fixed Pulley: Changes direction of force only; M.A. = 1

 Movable Pulley: Reduces effort; M.A. = 2
 Block and Tackle: Combines multiple pulleys; M.A. = number of supporting ropes

Velocity Ratio of Pulley:

V.R.=Number of supporting strandsV.R. = \text{Number of supporting strands}V.R.=Number of supporting strands

⚙ Key Idea:

 Levers use arms and rotation, while pulleys use ropes and lifting.
 Both aim to reduce effort or change the direction of force.

📘 Simple Machines - Notes (Page 3 of 6)

🔹 3. Inclined Plane

An inclined surface (ramp) used to lift a load with less effort over a longer distance.

Examples: Ramps, slides, loading platforms.

Key Formulas:

\text{M.A.} = \frac{\text{Load}}{\text{Effort}}
]

\text{V.R.} = \frac{\text{Length of slope}}{\text{Height of slope}}

]

 Efficiency:

η=M.A.V.R.×100%\eta = \frac{M.A.}{V.R.} \times 100\%

🔹 4. Wheel and Axle

Two wheels of different radii fixed together and rotated using effort on the larger wheel to turn the axle.

Examples: Steering wheel, bicycle pedals, doorknobs.

Key Formulas:

M.A. = \frac{\text{Radius of wheel}}{\text{Radius of axle}}

]

V.R. = \frac{\text{Circumference of wheel}}{\text{Circumference of axle}} = \frac{R_{\text{wheel}}}{R_{\text{axle}}}

]

🔹 5. Wedge

A double inclined plane used to split, cut, or pierce materials.

Examples: Knife, axe, chisel, nail.

 It converts a force applied in one direction into forces acting sideways.

 No standard formula for M.A., but sharper wedges are more efficient.

🔹 6. Screw

An inclined plane wound around a cylinder.

Examples: Jar lids, bolts, screw jacks.

Key Concepts:

 Pitch = Distance between two threads.

 M.A. increases when the threads are closer together (smaller pitch).
 V.R. of a screw jack:

V.R.=2πrPitch of screwV.R. = \frac{2 \pi r}{\text{Pitch of screw}}

(where rr is the length of the handle)

📘 Simple Machines - Notes (Page 4 of 6)

🔹 Mechanical Advantage (M.A.)

It tells how many times a machine multiplies the effort.

M.A.=LoadEffortM.A. = \frac{Load}{Effort}

 If M.A. > 1 → Load is greater than effort (Force multiplier)

 If M.A. < 1 → Machine gives speed or distance advantage
 If M.A. = 1 → Machine changes only direction
🔹 Velocity Ratio (V.R.)

It is the ratio of the distance moved by effort to the distance moved by load.

V.R.=Distance moved by effortDistance moved by loadV.R. = \frac{\text{Distance moved by effort}}{\text{Distance moved by

load}}

 Depends on geometry only (ideal case)

 V.R. is always greater than or equal to M.A.

🔹 Efficiency (η)

Efficiency tells us how well a machine performs with minimal loss.

η=M.A.V.R.×100%\eta = \frac{M.A.}{V.R.} \times 100\%

 For ideal machine, η = 100%

 In real machines, friction reduces efficiency (η < 100%)

🔹 Losses in Machines

 Friction
 Deformation
 Heat loss
 Air resistance

These reduce actual M.A. and efficiency.

🔹 Ideal vs Real Machine

Real
Feature Ideal Machine Ma-
chine

Less
Efficiency 100% than
100%

Friction None Present

No (out-
Work Output = Input Yes put < in-
put)

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📘 Simple Machines - Notes (Page 5 of 6)

🔹 Applications of Simple Machines

Simple machines are used everywhere — from homes to industries. Here

 Real
Feature Ideal Machine Ma-
chine

are some examples by machine type:

Machine Type Real-life Applications

Lever Seesaw, crowbar, scissors, pliers

Pulley Wells, cranes, gym machines

Inclined Plane Ramps, ladders, roadways, slides

Wheel and Axle Bicycle, car steering, hand drill

Wedge Axe, knife, nails, chisels

Screw Bottle caps, screw jacks, bolts

🔹 How to Choose the Right Machine?

Depends on:

 Load to be moved
 Direction of effort required
 Space availability
 Required mechanical advantage

🔹 Common Diagrams You Should Practice for ICSE

1. Levers of all classes with labeled F, E, L

2. Pulley systems: fixed, movable, block-and-tackle
3. Inclined plane showing effort, load, and slope
4. Wheel and axle cross-section
5. Screw jack with labeled handle and thread
6. Wedge cutting through material

📌 Up Next in Page 6: A quick summary sheet with formulas, memory

tricks, and a glossary — followed by the 15 solved numericals.

Let me know when you’re ready for the final page!

Perfect, Arpit! Here's the final Page 6 of 6 of your detailed notes on

Simple Machines:

📘 Simple Machines - Notes (Page 6 of 6)

🔹 Quick Formula Sheet

Concept Formula

Mechanical
Advantage LoadEffort\frac{Load}{Effort}
(M.A.)
 Real
Feature Ideal Machine Ma-
chine

Concept Formula

Velocity Ratio Distance moved by effortDistance moved by load\frac{Distance

(V.R.) \ moved \ by \ effort}{Distance \ moved \ by \ load}

Efficiency (η) M.A.V.R.×100%\frac{M.A.}{V.R.} \times 100\%

V.R. of In- Length of slopeHeight of slope\frac{Length \ of \ slope}

clined Plane {Height \ of \ slope}

M.A. of Lever Effort ArmLoad Arm\frac{Effort \ Arm}{Load \ Arm}

V.R. of Pulley Number of supporting strands

V.R. of Screw 2πrPitch\frac{2\pi r}{\text{Pitch}}

🔹 Memory Tricks for Exams

 “FEL” for Lever types:

o Class 1: Fulcrum in middle (F)
o Class 2: Effort at one end (E)
o Class 3: Load at one end (L)
 Pulley V.R. = Supporting Ropes (not counting effort side if it’s
moving)
 Efficiency is always less than 100% in real life.

🔹 Glossary of Key Terms

Term Definition

Load (L) The object that a machine helps move

Effort (E) The force applied to move the load

Fulcrum The fixed pivot point of a lever

Inclined Plane A sloped surface that reduces the effort to lift a load

Pitch Distance between adjacent threads in a screw

Ideal Machine A machine with no energy loss (100% efficient)

🔹 Conclusion

Simple machines play a fundamental role in understanding the principles

of physics and engineering. From opening a bottle cap to lifting a load
with pulleys or levers, they demonstrate the core idea of converting and
simplifying force to make tasks easier. Mastering them helps you in real
life and ensures you score well in exams like ICSE Class 10.
 NUMERICALS

🔹 Levers

Q1. In a Class I lever, the effort arm is 60 cm and the load arm is 20 cm. Calculate the mechanical advantage.
Solution:

M.A.=Effort ArmLoad Arm=6020=3M.A. = \frac{\text{Effort Arm}}{\text{Load Arm}} = \frac{60}{20} = \boxed{3}

Q2. A Class II lever is used to lift a load of 100 N with an effort of 25 N. Find the M.A. and state the advantage.

M.A.=LoadEffort=10025=4M.A. = \frac{Load}{Effort} = \frac{100}{25} = \boxed{4}

Advantage: Less effort is required to lift a heavy load.

Q3. In a Class III lever, effort = 60 N, load = 40 N. What is the M.A. and is it speed or force advantage?

M.A.=4060=0.67M.A. = \frac{40}{60} = \boxed{0.67}

Type: Speed advantage (M.A. < 1)

🔹 Inclined Plane

Q4. A 50 kg load is pushed up a 2 m high ramp of length 5 m. Calculate V.R.

V.R.=LengthHeight=52=2.5V.R. = \frac{Length}{Height} = \frac{5}{2} = \boxed{2.5}

Q5. A 600 N load is moved up an inclined plane with 300 N effort. Find M.A.

M.A.=600300=2M.A. = \frac{600}{300} = \boxed{2}

Q6. Using Q4 and Q5: Find efficiency.

η=M.A.V.R.×100=22.5×100=80%\eta = \frac{M.A.}{V.R.} \times 100 = \frac{2}{2.5} \times 100 = \boxed{80\%}

🔹 Pulley

Q7. In a movable pulley, what is the M.A. and V.R.?

M.A.=2,V.R.=2M.A. = 2,\quad V.R. = 2

Q8. A block-and-tackle has 4 pulleys. Load = 100 N, Effort = 30 N. Find M.A. and efficiency.

M.A.=10030=3.33,V.R.=4M.A. = \frac{100}{30} = 3.33,\quad V.R. = 4 η=3.334×100=83.25%\eta = \frac{3.33}{4} \times 100 = \

boxed{83.25\%}

Q9. A pulley system has a V.R. of 5. What is the distance moved by effort if load moves 2 m?

V.R.=dEdL⇒dE=V.R.×dL=5×2=10 mV.R. = \frac{d_E}{d_L} \Rightarrow d_E = V.R. \times d_L = 5 \times 2 = \boxed{10\ m}
🔹 Wheel and Axle

Q10. Radius of wheel = 30 cm, radius of axle = 10 cm. Find V.R.

V.R.=3010=3V.R. = \frac{30}{10} = \boxed{3}

Q11. Load = 90 N, effort = 45 N. Find M.A. and state if efficient.

M.A.=9045=2,η=23×100=66.7%M.A. = \frac{90}{45} = 2,\quad \eta = \frac{2}{3} \times 100 = \boxed{66.7\%}

🔹 Screw Jack

Q12. A screw jack has a pitch of 5 mm and handle length 30 cm. Find V.R.

V.R.=2πrPitch=2×3.14×300.5=188.40.5=376.8V.R. = \frac{2\pi r}{\text{Pitch}} = \frac{2 \times 3.14 \times 30}{0.5} = \frac{188.4}

{0.5} = \boxed{376.8}

Q13. If M.A. of screw jack = 300 and V.R. = 376.8, find efficiency.

η=300376.8×100≈79.63%\eta = \frac{300}{376.8} \times 100 \approx \boxed{79.63\%}

🔹 Mixed Problems

Q14. A machine has M.A. = 2, V.R. = 2.5. Calculate efficiency and comment.

η=22.5×100=80%(Real machine, some loss)\eta = \frac{2}{2.5} \times 100 = \boxed{80\%} \quad \text{(Real machine, some loss)}

Q15. An ideal machine requires 50 N to lift 50 N. What is efficiency?

M.A.=5050=1,V.R.=1,η=11×100=100%M.A. = \frac{50}{50} = 1,\quad V.R. = 1,\quad \eta = \frac{1}{1} \times 100 = \boxed{100\%}