michael hill simple machines
DESCRIPTION
here is my science projectTRANSCRIPT
Michael Hill
One of these
simple machines is the
“Lever”, now you might
see the picture and
wonder what is actually a
lever? Well the definition
of a lever is any rigid rod
or type of plank that
pivots, or rotates, about a point. However, Mr.
Leroux’s (La-Rue) defines it as anything you can hold
in your hand. It can be anything such as a light switch,
a quarter, a phone and it also includes objects such as
a wheel barrel. The point about which the lever pivots
is called a fulcrum.
The remote shown in the picture above is a
lever because it can be held in your hand. This type of
lever would be classified as a class three lever
because if you swing it the output force would be
close to your hands, the input force would be in the
middle and the fulcrum would be at the end.
The next simple machine is
the inclined plane--a flat, sloped
surface. Mr.Leroux defines it as
anything that goes from a low
point to a high point. An inclined
plane can be a slanted tabled leg, a
ramp that goes up to a truck, a
latter, or a slide.
The pictures on the right
are inclined planes because they
are flat, slanted, surfaces and go
from a high point to a low point
and vice versa.
An inclined plane can
decrease the amount of work you
need to do but it can also increase
the distance you have to go.
Another simple machine is a
wedge. A wedge is basically a moving
inclined plane. My science teacher Mr.
Leroux’s definition of a wedge is an
object that can go into something else.
If you are wondering what they are,
well like every other simple machine
you use them almost every day.
Examples of wedges include: a knives
your teeth, even a pin (which you
should never use to stab anything or
anyone). Wedges make work easier by
cutting things or tearing into bits. For
example, the knife on the left makes it
easier to cut different foods. And your
teeth are also wedges because when
you put something into your mouth
you bite down and your teeth go INTO your food.
Another simple machine is the
screw, which you are probably already
familiar with. A screw is an inclined plane
wrapped around a cylinder or post. Mr.
Leroux also stated that a screw is anything
that has indentations on it. Types of screws
can vary widely such as screws, light bulbs, and can openers. These
objects all have indentations on them. Screws make work easier
by holding things together.
The pictures on the right are screws
because they each have indentations on
them.
Another simple machine is a wheel and axle, which consists of two
circular objects of different sizes that are attached in such a way
that they will rotate together. Mr. Leroux’s definition of a wheel
and axle is anything with 2 circles that turn with each other. Wheel
and axles can be things such as doorknobs, a steering wheel, tire, a
water spigot, and a Ferris wheel. The pictures below are examples
of wheel and axles because it has two circles that turn with each
other.
Wheel and axles make work easier by helping us to move
thing easier.
The final simple machine is the pulley. Mr. Leroux defines a pulley
as anything that has a rope, cord, cable, etc. There are two types
of pulleys: fixed and moveable. A fixed pulley is when you pull a
rope, cord, or cable down to make something go up. A moveable
pulley when you attach a cord or rope to an object you are lifting.
Pulleys can be objects such as a window blind, a flagpole, and a
ship’s sail. The objects in the pictures below are fixed pulleys
because when you pull down on the string it makes the blinds go
up. They also make work easier because they help you decrease
the amount of force you use to lift something up.