SOUTHERNSIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL, AND COLLEGES INC.
Camella Homes IV Poblacion, City of Muntinlupa
SCIENCE 6 (FOURTH QUARTER)
Notes #1
Simple Machines
A simple machine is a device consisting of few parts used to make work easier.
Machines are used to transform, transfer energy, multiply speed or force, and change the direction of the force.
A compound machine is produced when two or more of these machines are combined to make a new and useful device.
(ex. scissors, wheel and barrow, and jack screw)
Simple machines can be grouped into two families – the lever family and the inclined-plane family.
Lever Family
Levers
Pulleys
Wheels and axles
Inclined-plane family
Inclined planes
Wedges
Screws
Levers
A straight bar that is used to push, pull, and lift things. It has three parts: the fulcrum (the point on which the lever turns;
the load or resistance (the weight lifted); and the effort (applied force that lifts the load).
Classes of Lever
1. First-class levers – a simple machine that has its fulcrum between the effort and the load. (Ex. Pairs of scissors,
crowbars, and seesaws).
2. Second-class levers – a simple machine where the load is between the fulcrum and the effort. The load is placed closer
to the fulcrum to apply less effort. (Ex. Wheelbarrows, nutcrackers, bottle openers.)
3. Third-class levers – a simple machine in which the effort is between the load and the fulcrum. (Ex. Brooms, shovels,
tweezers, fishing rod)
Pulleys
A kind of wheel that is generally used to change the direction or point of application to increase the applied force.
Pulleys are classified as fixed pulleys, movable pulleys, and block-and-tackle pulleys.
1. Fixed pulleys – makes one’s work easier by changing the direction of the
force. The force exerted on the rope is equal to the weight of the object.
A fixed pulley can be used to lift or lower objects. (Ex. Flagpole)
2. Movable pulleys – helps in gaining more force when lifting a weight.
It raises or lowers the load attached to one end of the rope or chain that
passes around a groove and is pulled at the other end. (Ex. Elevator)
3. Block-and-tackle pulleys – a combination of a fixed pulley and a movable
pulley. It changes the direction of the force and at the same time gains force.
(Ex. Venetian blind)
Wheels and Axle
A simple machine that multiplies the effort. It consists of a large wheel rigidly secured to a smaller wheel or shaft, called
axle. (Ex. Doorknobs, steering wheels of car, eggbeaters, and pencil sharpeners).
Inclined planes
An even sloping surface such as a ramp. It reduces the amount of force required to do work. The inclined plane makes it
easier to move a weight (or load) to a higher elevation.
Wedges
A modification of the inclined planes.
A simple machine made up of two inclined planes forming a sharp edge.
A wedge can multiply force, which means you apply less force and finish the work in a shorter time when using a wedge.
(Ex. Knives, saw, axe, blade, chisel, carpenter’s plane, and pins)
Screws
An inclined plane that winds around a nail. The spiral ridges or threads serve as the slope or inclined planes.
A screw is used to fasten objects together, such as those on hinges and door handles. Other examples of screws are found
in the caps of jars and bottles, bases of light bulbss, and jacks.
For additional information, please refer to pp. 259-262.
