Know Your Machines

All About Simple Machines


A lever is a rigid bar that rotates around a fixed point. The fixed point is also known as the fulcrum and it is uses effort in order to make the load move. There are three different classes of a lever

Class 1: Fulcrum is between the load and the effort

Example- Screwdriver

Class 2: Fulcrum at one end, effort at one end, and the load is in the middle

Example- Wheelbarrow

Class 3: Fulcrum at one end, load at one end, and effort in the middle

Example- Using a golf club to hit a golf ball

Wheel and Axle

A small cylinder (axle) joined to a large cylinder (wheel) used to move heavy loads across ground

Inclined Plane

A tilted surface used to push or pull something up. Also the steeper the slope the more effort it takes to move the item.


Two inclined planes placed together. It changes the force from moving downwards to moving outwards.


An inclined plane that is coiled around a shaft. It converts rotational motion into linear motion.


Makes work easier by changing the direction of the force by allowing you to pull down on the rope. You can apply your own weight to the effort rather than lifting the load.