Force and Motion
Simple Machine Study Guide
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How fast an object moves from one position to another speed.
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A flat surface set at an angle to another surface- inclined plane
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A change in position- motion
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A force that pulls all objects toward each other- gravity
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A tool that helps people do work- simple machine.
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A bar that moves on or around a fixed point- level.
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A push or pull- force
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A measure of the pull of gravity on an object- weight.
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Measure of a force moving an object- work.
Connect Concepts
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Your push on the truck is a force.
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The length of the ramp is the distance the truck must move.
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The distance the truck moves divided by the time it takes is the truck’s
speed.
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The simple machine the truck is moving is an inclined plane.

The force to push the truck times the distance the truck moves is the
work done to push the truck up the ramp.
Check for Understanding

A rock sat on the edge of a cliff. One day the rock fell off. The force
that caused this motion was probably- gravity.

Workers at an airport put suitcases on an airplane. They use a moving
ramp. What kind of simple machine is it? Inclined plane.

A jet flies at 550 mph. This is the measure of speed. (Distance/Time)

Alice uses 2 newtons of force to push her little sister’s stroller 5 meters.
How much work does she do? 10 newtons-meters. (Force x distance)
Simple Machines
1. Simple machines are tools that make work easier. Examples of tasks made
easier include lifting a heavy weight, moving a heavy object over a distance,
pushing things apart, changing the direction of a force, or holding an object
together.
2. The six simple machines are the lever, inclined plane, wedge, wheel and
axle, screw, and pulley.
3. The lever is a stiff bar that moves about a fixed point (fulcrum). It is a
simple machine that is used to push, pull, or lift things. Examples include a
seesaw, crowbar, and shovel.
4. The inclined plane is a flat surface that is raised so one end is higher than
the other. The inclined plane helps move heavy objects up or down. An
example is a ramp.
5. The wedge is wide at one end and pointed at the other to help cut or split
other objects. Examples include a knife or ax.
6. The wheel and axle consists of a rod attached to a wheel. A wheel and axle
makes it easier to move or turn things. Examples include bicycle wheels,
roller skates, and a doorknob.
7. The screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder or cone. A common
use of the screw is to hold objects together. Examples include a jar lid and
wood screw.
8. The pulley is a wheel that has a rope wrapped around it. Pulleys can be used
to lift heavy objects by changing the direction or amount of the force.
Examples include a flagpole.
9. A compound machine is a combination of two or more simple machines.
Examples include scissors, wheelbarrow, and bicycle.
lever
Screw
Inclined Plane
Wedge
Pulley
Wheel and Axel