simple machines
Fundamental mechanical devices
Simple machines are basic mechanical devices that multiply or redirect force: the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw.
These six form the building blocks of all complex machinery.
A crowbar is a lever; a ramp is an inclined plane.
We studied simple machines in physics class.
Lever's balance point
- pivotPoint of rotation
- crowbarMetal prying lever
- seesawPivoting playground plank
- pry barLever for forcing things
balance · arm · beam · effort · load · torque · moment · cantilever
Sloped connecting surface
- slopeAngled terrain or steepness
- slantOblique angle or bias
- gradientRate of change across space
- angleGeometric measure of rotation
elevation · tilt · ascent · descent · slide · effort · load · distance
Shaft for wheel rotation
- rotationTurning on an axis
- hubCentral connection point
- spokesRods connecting hub to rim
- rimCircular outer boundary
bearing · cog · gear · crank · flywheel · casters · sprocket · turntable
Twisted fiber strands
- helixSpiraling three-dimensional curve
- pitchFrequency of sound
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- nutHard-shelled seed
driver · fastener · torque · rotation · tighten · loosen · wood screw · Phillips
fulcrum
Lever's balance point
pry bar · balance · arm · beam · effort · load · torque · moment · cantilever · pivot point
ramp
Sloped connecting surface
angle · elevation · tilt · ascent · descent · slide · effort · load · distance · accessibility
axle
Shaft for wheel rotation
rim · bearing · cog · gear · crank · flywheel · casters · sprocket · turntable · potter's wheel
threads
Twisted fiber strands
nut · driver · fastener · torque · rotation · tighten · loosen · wood screw · Phillips · slotted
sheave
Channeled wheel for rope
- block and tacklePulley arrangement for lifting
- ropeThick twisted fibers
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
hoist · crane · winch · rigging · counterweight · lifting · tackle · elevator · haul · flagpole
ax
Bladed chopping tool
splitter · cleaver · shim · taper · plow · splitting · cutting · prying · doorstop · zipper
- elementary schoolclassroom, student, first grade teacher, reading skills, teacher
- Kids Physicsmagnets, gravity, electricity, force, friction
- physics gamesAngry Birds
- preschool science educationnature walks, plant growth, water play, sensory bins, magnets
- science history for childrenAlbert Einstein, Marie Curie, Isaac Newton, Thomas Edison, Galileo
- classical physicsNewton, Newton's laws, Newtonian physics, laws of motion, force
simple machinescompound machines
Systems joining basic mechanisms
mechanical systems · clockwork · engines · machinery · automated systems
simple machinesadvanced technology
Sophisticated modern developments
automated systems · robots · electronics · smart devices · artificial intelligence
simple machinesadvanced technology
Sophisticated modern developments
robotic systems · electronic devices · artificial intelligence · industrial machinery · digital technology
simple, machine, simply, machinery, simplicity, mechanical, mechanism, simplify, machines