1.
5 mechanical
devices used to
produce movement
Types of Motion
1. Linear Motion: Movement in a
straight line (e.g., a car moving
forward).
2. Rotary Motion: Circular
movement around a central
point (e.g., wheels turning).
3. Reciprocating Motion:
Repeated back-and-forth
movement (e.g., a piston in an
engine).
4. Oscillating Motion: Back-and-
forth movement in an arc (e.g.,
a pendulum).
Mechanisms for converting Rotational Motion into L
inear
Mechanical Systems
These mechanisms convert one type of motion to another or amplify force:
1. Levers
•First-class lever: Fulcrum in the middle (e.g., seesaw).
•Second-class lever: Load in the middle (e.g., wheelbarrow).
•Third-class lever: Effort in the middle (e.g., tweezers).
2. Linkages
•A system of levers connected together to change the direction or magnitude of forces. For example,
push-pull linkages transfer motion in a straight line but change the direction.
3. Cams and Followers
•Cam: A shaped piece that rotates and pushes a follower up and down to produce reciprocating or
oscillating motion.
•Used in applications like car engines or mechanical toys.
4. Gears
•Spur gears: Standard gears used to transmit rotary motion and torque between shafts.
•Bevel gears: Change the direction of motion by 90 degrees.
•Worm gears: Provide a large speed reduction or increase in torque.
•Rack and pinion: Converts rotary motion into linear motion (e.g., in car steering mechanisms).
5. Pulleys and Belts
•Pulleys are wheels on an axle used with belts to transmit rotary motion.
•Systems of pulleys can change the direction of force and multiply force in lifting mechanisms.
6. Crank and Slider
•This mechanism converts rotary motion into reciprocating motion. Commonly found in engines
(piston and crankshaft).
7. Screws
•Converts rotary motion into linear motion. Examples include car jacks or screws used in carpentry.
Simple Machine : Pulley, Lever, Screw,
e, Wheels and Axle (youtube.com)
Mechanical Advantage
•Mechanical Advantage (MA): A measure of how
much a mechanism amplifies force. It is calculated
by dividing the load force by the effort force.
Understanding this helps in evaluating the
efficiency of different mechanical systems.
Key Concepts:
•Velocity Ratio (VR): The ratio of the speed of
the driving gear to the driven gear, important in
gears and pulleys.
•Efficiency: The efficiency of a mechanism is its
ability to convert input energy into useful output,
taking into account energy losses due to friction.
Applications
These mechanical devices are widely used in:
•Engines
•Manufacturing equipment
•Robotics
•Everyday devices such as bicycles, clocks, and
power tools.
Question 1: Question 3:
Explain the difference between a first- A bicycle uses a system of gears to transmit rotary
class lever and a second-class lever, motion from the pedals to the wheels. Explain how
giving one example of each. changing the gear ratio affects the speed and
(4 marks) force required to pedal the bicycle.
(5 marks)
•First-class lever: The fulcrum is placed
between the effort and the load. An example •Gear ratio: Changing the gear ratio means adjusting
is a seesaw, where the pivot point is in the the size of the driving gear (connected to the pedals)
middle, and the two sides exert force on relative to the driven gear (connected to the wheel) (1
each other (2 marks). mark).
•Second-class lever: The load is placed •Higher gear ratio: A larger driving gear or smaller
between the fulcrum and the effort. An driven gear means more speed but requires more force
example is a wheelbarrow, where the wheel to pedal (2 marks).
is the fulcrum, the load is in the middle, and •Lower gear ratio: A smaller driving gear or larger
the effort is applied to the handles (2 driven gear makes it easier to pedal but reduces speed
marks).
Question 2: (2 marks). 4:
Question
A mechanical toy uses a cam and follower Describe the purpose of a crank and slider
system to move a figure up and down. mechanism, and explain how it converts one type
Describe how this system works and identify of motion into another. Provide an example of
what type of motion is produced. where this mechanism might be used.
(3 marks) (4 marks)
•How it works: A cam is a rotating or sliding part •Purpose: The crank and slider mechanism is used to
that moves a follower. As the cam rotates, its convert rotary motion into reciprocating motion or vice
shape pushes the follower up and down (2 marks). versa (1 mark).
•Type of motion: This system produces •How it works: The crank rotates, pushing or pulling the
reciprocating motion (1 mark). slider along a straight path (2 marks).
•Example: A crank and slider mechanism is commonly
used in internal combustion engines to convert the
rotation of the crankshaft into the reciprocating motion of
