⚙️ Simple Machines

6 machines · mechanical advantage · calculator · real-world examples

What is this?

The 6 simple machines — lever, wheel & axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw — are basic devices that make work easier by redirecting or multiplying force.

Why does it matter?

Every complex machine — from cars to cranes to scissors — is a combination of simple machines. Understanding them is the first step to understanding all mechanical engineering.

Key terms

Force — a push or pull on an object; measured in Newtons (N) Work — force applied over a distance; measured in Joules (J) Mechanical advantage — how much a machine multiplies your input force Fulcrum — the pivot point of a lever (e.g., the hinge of a pair of scissors) Pulley — a grooved wheel and rope that redirects or multiplies force Inclined plane — a ramp that reduces the effort needed to raise an object

🎯 Try this challenge

Look around your kitchen or school bag and find one simple machine. What type is it — lever, pulley, wedge, screw, wheel & axle, or inclined plane? What work does it make easier?

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