Inclined Planes
-A plane is a flat surface. an inclined plane is a slanted surface that makes moving up objects easier.
-By pushing an object up an inclined plane, we use less force but, we have to travel a farther distance than if we just picked the object straight up.
-The most common inclined plane is a ramp.
-In the picture below, the man on the left is using more force to pick up the object. The man on the right is using less force to push the object up the inclined plane.
-By pushing an object up an inclined plane, we use less force but, we have to travel a farther distance than if we just picked the object straight up.
-The most common inclined plane is a ramp.
-In the picture below, the man on the left is using more force to pick up the object. The man on the right is using less force to push the object up the inclined plane.
Levers
-A lever is used to help us lift weight. It is basically a flat surface that pivot at a certain point.
-The point where a lever pivots is called the fulcrum.
-The closer the fulcrum is to the object that we are trying to lift, the easier it is to lift. The farther away the fulcrum is from the object, the harder it is to lift.
-Some examples would be catapults, see-saws, and light switches.
-The point where a lever pivots is called the fulcrum.
-The closer the fulcrum is to the object that we are trying to lift, the easier it is to lift. The farther away the fulcrum is from the object, the harder it is to lift.
-Some examples would be catapults, see-saws, and light switches.
Wedge
-A wedge is basically 2 inclined planed that are joined together.
-A wedge is used to cut something or to raise an an object.
-Some common examples would be a door wedge, a knife, and an ax head.
-A wedge is used to cut something or to raise an an object.
-Some common examples would be a door wedge, a knife, and an ax head.
Screws
-A screw is basically an inclined plane that has been wrapped around a pole. The threads on a common screw are the inclined plane.
-It is used to hold objects together, drill a hole or raise/lower an object.
-Examples would be a common screw/bolt or a drill bit.
-It is used to hold objects together, drill a hole or raise/lower an object.
-Examples would be a common screw/bolt or a drill bit.
Wheel and axle
-A wheel and axle is a wheel that turns on a post.
-It helps move heavy objects by reducing the amount of friction form sliding.
Pulley
-A pulley is a wheel and axle that has a string or cable wrapped around it.
-Pulleys are used to change the direction of the force or they can be used to decrease the amount of force needed to move an object.
-Pulley can be combined to make lifting easier but the more pulleys you use the longer distance the rope has to travel.
-A really common example would be the pulleys within a crane.