What are simple machines?

Simple machines are devices such as levers, screws and pulleys. They are all designed to help us. Simple machines use a smaller force to have a greater effect and change motion.
The six simple machines are:
- inclined plane
- lever
- pulley
- screw
- wedge
- wheel and axle

Watch: Mr Simpling's Museum Of Marvellous Machines
Explore a variety of marvellous machines with Mr Simpling.
MR SIMPLING: "Step inside and have your mind blown!"
ANGE: "Museum of marvellous machines, ooh this is it now I know those tickets weren’t cheap but it looks like it might’ve been worth it."
MR SIMPLING: "Welcome to Mr Simplings’ Museum of Marvellous Machines."
RITA: "This is going to be fantastic."
MR SIMPLING: "Come, crowd around our first contraption! Marvel at a machine that allows one to lift the heaviest of objects with greatest ease! Behold!!!"
ANGE: "Ooh, here we go…"
MR SIMPLING: "Tah daaaah! A double pulley, with a simple pull of the rope, this miraculous machine allows you to half the energy needed to raise the bucket. Oooh."
RITA: "That’s just a bit of rope and some little wheels."
ANGE: "It’s rubbish."
MR SIMPLING: "How dare you, this is one of the classic simple machines out which all other machines in the world are built."
RITA: "We were hoping to see robots."
ANGE: "Yeah."
MR SIMPLING: "Yeah, I really just do simple machines. But what is a robot if not a collection of simple machines all working together to create a wondrous effect."
ANGE: "So you do, do robots?"
MR SIMPLING: "No we don’t do robots."
ANGE: "What’s he doing?"
MR SIMPLING: "But perhaps I can pique your interest with another machine most marvellous."
ANGE: "Is it better than a pulley?"
MR SIMPLING: "Ta-daah"
ANGE: "I cannot believe we paid for this."
RITA: "That’s not a machine! Those are screws!"
MR SIMPLINE: "Technically they are simple machines! These marvels transform a turning force into a forward force oooh! Please try not to faint."
ANGE: "I just want to see one robot. Oh he’s gone again."
MR SIMPLING: "But, pray tell, what’s this mechanical marvel!?"
ANGE: "Is it a robot?"
MR SIMPLING: "Better. A machine used to build some of the greatest architecture known to man!"
ANGE: "I’ll take that as a ‘no’."
MR SIMPLING: "Tah DAAAAH!"
ANGE: "It’s just a ramp!"
MR SIMPLING: "Ah yes, but what you call a ramp is in fact an inclined plane. Behold this makes it easier to lift heavy objects upwards. Look it’s going."
RITA: "We’re going!"
ANGE: "Yeah."
MR SIMPLING: "No, no, no, I’ve got one more to show you."
ANGE: "Is it a refund machine?"
MR SIMPLING: ‘’Excuse me. Behold!"
RITA: "It’s a bike. Woah, never seen one of those before."
MR SIMPLING: "Ah! But while you see a bicycle, what I see a multitude of marvellous simple machines working together in harmony, allowing the bicycle to move forward, isn’t it majestic."
ANGE: "I guess it is pretty amazing actually."
RITA: "Don’t get sucked in."
ANGE: "Sorry."
RITA: "We want our money back. We’ve seen a bike before."
MR SIMPLING: ‘’But have you ever seen one do this?"
ANGE: "What? Get ridden? Yeah,’’
MR SIMPLING: "See you, bye. No refunds!’"
RITA: "Wait! Come back!"
How do simple machines help us?
Axles
An axle is a rod that passes through the centre of a wheel. The wheel grips the axle tightly, so the wheel and axle turn together.
Axles help wheels stay in place and spin smoothly.

Gears
Gears are wheels with teeth that interlock with each other, a belt or a chain. When two gears are locked together, they rotate and transfer motion energy from one gear to another.
Gears are found in mechanisms like bikes and watches.
Inclined Planes
An inclined plane is a slope.
Examples include slides, stairs and escalators.


Pulleys
A pulley is small wheel with a groove where a rope sits.
When the rope is pulled, you are able to lift a heavier load with a little effort.
Screws
Screws turn a turning force into a downward force.


Horrible Science fact
Simple machines, like leavers, use a smaller force to have a greater effect and change motion.
If you want to learn more about levers then just ask Clive – The Man With The Lever Dream..
He is ever so slightly obsessed with them!

Quiz: Mr Simpling's Machine Quiz
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