Simple Machine Questions for Simply the Best

Introduction to Simple Machines and Work

The Canada Science and Technology Museum can be used to answer questions 1 to 5.

1. Why do we use machines?
2. What are the six simple machines?
3. What simple machines belong to the inclined plane family?
4. What simple machines belong to the lever family?

HowStuffWorks defines work for you.

5. What does "work" mean in science?
6. Before you go on, see if you understand the concept of work by testing yourself at the Physics Classroom.

Click on "What is a simple machine?" to find some important information about work and simple machines from the Center of Science and Industry.

7. What is the formula (mathematical equation) for work?
8. A simple machine NEVER changes the amount of work done. What does a simple machine change?
9. What is the advantage in using a simple machine?

Speaking of advantage, find the answers to these questions on mechanical advantage and ideal mechanical advantage at this Encarta article. (Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.)

10. What is mechanical advantage?
11. How do scientists calculate mechanical advantage?
12. What is ideal mechanical advantage?
13. What is the major source of imperfection in a machine?
14. How does (actual) mechanical advantage compare to ideal mechanical advantage?

Levers

Turn to the Franklin Museum to answer the following question:

15. What is a lever?

Search the Franklin Museum or Enchanted Learning to answer the following questions on levers:

16. Where is the fulcrum located in a class one lever?
17. List some examples of a class one lever.
18. Where is the load located in a class two lever?
19. List some examples of a class two lever.
20. Where is the effort located in a class three lever?
21. List some examples of a class three lever.

View animation of all three classes of levers at Enchanted Learning.

22. Now, sketch the three classes of levers. Be sure to label the effort, load and fulcrum.

Use the Lever Principle to solve the following problems:

23. Place 4N worth of force 0.2m from the fulcrum. Where would you have to place 2N in order for the lever to balance?
24. Place 2N worth of force 0.6m from the fulcrum. Where would you have to place 4N in order for the lever to balance?
25. Place 3N worth of force 0.8 m from the fulcrum. Where would you have to place 4N in order for the lever to balance?

Are you up for some challenges?

26. Place 2N worth of force 0.3m from the fulcrum. Place 3N of force 0.6m from the same side of the fulcrum. Where would you place 6N of force in order to balance the fulcrum?
27. Place 2N worth of force 0.4m from the fulcrum. Place 6N of force 0.2m from the same side of the fulcrum. Where would you place 4N of force in order to balance the fulcrum?

Just when you think it's safe to advance to the next simple machine, another site provides an interesting challenge. See if you can Lever the Obelisk!

Additional members of the Lever family

Use this page on Pulley Basics to answer the following questions.

28. What is a pulley?
29. What are the three types of pulleys?
30. Sketch and label all three types of pulleys.
31. What is the advantage of a fixed pulley? What is the disadvantage of a fixed pulley?
32. What is the advantage of a movable pulley? What is the disadvantage of a movable pulley?
33. What is the advantage of a combined pulley? What is the disadvantage of a combined pulley?
34. What's wrong with the calculation for mechanical advantage shown in the gray box?

If you'd like to learn more about pulleys, visit the block and tackle page at HowStuffWorks.

Now, visit the Franklin Museum to answer the following questions on wheel and axles.

35. What is a wheel and axle?
36. Explain how a wheel and axle works.

Inclined Planes

Return to the Franklin Museum to answer the following questions on inclined planes.

37. What is an inclined plane?
38. How does the slant of an inclined plane relate to its mechanical advantage?

Utah State University provides the answers for the following two questions.

39. How do you calculate ideal mechanical advantage for an inclined plane?
40. What is the architectural standard for a wheel chair ramp?

Visit Which Path requires the most energy? and find out how distance and force change with different angles!

Hint: Construct a table to answer questions 36 to 42.

41. How much work is being done at 30, 45 and 60 degrees?
42. How far does the car travel on the 30 degree ramp?
43. How far does the car travel on the 45 degree ramp?
44. How far does the car travel on the 60 degree ramp?
45. How much force is expended on the 30 degree ramp?
46. How much force is expended on the 45 degree ramp?
47. How much force is expended on the 60 degree ramp?
48. What is the relationship between the distance the car travels and the amount of force expended when the angle of the inclined plane changes?
49. In your own words, explain why inclined planes are useful.

Additional members of the Inclined Plane family

Access the Canada Science and Technology Museum to answer the following:

50. How is a wedge and an inclined plane related?
51. How is a screw and an inclined plane related?

Visit Utah State University to find the answer to the following question. Be sure to scroll down to the section on wedges.

52. How does a wedge differ from an inclined plane?

Test Yourself!!

Congratulations!, You've reached the end of the introductory questions! Now, check to see how well you understand simple machines by analyzing some complicated machines.

53. Figure out what simple machines make up a lawn mover at the Center of Science and Industry
54. What simple machines make up a drill, corkscrew and jack? Find out at the Gadget Anatomy page at Boston's Museum of Science
55. The last site you'll be visiting is all about baseball. Your job is to hit a homerun by changing speed, angle and type of pitch. What does this have to do with simple machines? Well, a baseball bat is a lever. Tell your teacher the class of lever and then visit the Exploratorium's Science of Baseball.