SIMPLE MACHINES
A machine can be defined as an equipment that has moving
parts that makes work easier, faster and convenient.
Features of a Simple Machine
A simple machine must contain the following features:
Load: This is the part of a simple machine meant to lift or
hold any weight that may be attached to it
Fulcrum: This is the mid-point between the load and the
effort. It is sometimes referred to as the pivot in a
machine.
Effort: This is the point where a force is applied to the
machine to be able to lift any attached load at the other
end of the machine.
Examples of Simple Machines
[Link] Lever: This is a simple machine that has a fixed bar that
rotates about a fixed point, called the fulcrum or pivot.
Levers are classified based on where the load, fulcrum and
effort are located.
These classes are:
i. First class levers
ii. ii. Second class levers
iii. iii. Third class levers.
i. First class levers: In this class of levers, the fulcrum is
between the load and the effort. E.g. pliers, claw hammer
and scissors.
A
[Link] class levers: In this class of levers, the load comes
between the fulcrum and the effort. The mechanical
advantage in this case is more than one. Example include:
wheelbarrow, bottle opener, human leg, nut cracker, etc
[Link] class levers: In a third class lever, the effort is between
the load and the fulcrum. E.g. chopsticks, human arm,
sugar tong, tweezer, etc.
[Link]: A wedge is a simple machine used to split things in
two. A wedge can include a knife, a piece of object used to
stop a rolling object or axe used to split wood. E.g.
3.A pulley: it is a wheel with groove that a rope or chain can
run [Link] is used to lift heavy object.
[Link] plane: It is a sloping surface that makes it easier to
move object from a lower level to higher [Link] are
staircase, slide etc.
[Link] and Axe:The wheel and axle consists of a round disk,
known as a wheel, with a rod through the centre of it,
known as the [Link] wheel rotate around the axle making
it easier to move heavy object.
[Link]:The screw is a long, narrow rod with a helical thread
wrapped around it. It is used to hold objects together or lift
things.
Terms used in simple machines
[Link] Advantage (MA): MA of a machine is defined as
the ratio of resistance overcome (load) to the effort
applied.
MA = Load/Effort (It has no unit, it is the simple ratio of two
forces
2. Velocity Ratio (VR): The velocity ratio of a machine is also
defined as the ratio of the distance moved by the effort to
the distance moved by the load (resistance overcome).
VR = Effort distance/ Load distance.
[Link]:the ratio of the work done on the load by the
𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
machine to𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘
the 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑏𝑦
work done on
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡
𝑥the machine by the effort.
100 %
Efficiency=
efficiency=X 100%
Calculations
1.A machine with a velocity ratio of 30 moves a load of
3000N when an effort of 200N is applied. The efficiency of
the machine i
efficiency= X100
MA= =15
Efficiency= x 100
=50%
ATTEMPT THIS QUESTION
[Link] the mechanical advantage of a machine that
lifted a load of 10N with an effort of 5N
