Simple machines include the inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, wheel and axle, gear, and pulley. Many machines are made up of multiple elementary machines. These complicated devices assist humans in performing activities that are tough, repetitive, dangerous, or simply dull. Machines can be as simple as a rock and a string to build a bridge or as complex as computers that control missiles.
How have machines affected humanity? Humans have been using tools to improve their ability to use force since before they started making weapons. Tools allowed our ancient ancestors to remove large trees from their habitats and transport them away which provided them with opportunities to eat different kinds of food. As we learned how to make tools ourselves, we were able to create more sophisticated weapons. This led to the evolution of intelligence in animals who then developed defenses against us. However, tools have also helped humans survive in environments where it would otherwise be impossible. For example, engineers use tools like drills and forks to work with precision at a distance, but they also use machetes and guns to get around when they cannot use their hands.
Has technology made life easier or harder for humans? Technology has enabled humans to accomplish tasks beyond our physical capabilities such as driving cars off-road or operating machinery on the other side of the world. At the same time, technology has made many jobs dangerous or even deadly, such as working with chemicals or firearms.
The wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, screw, wedge, and lever are all examples of simple machines that are commonly utilized. While basic machines can amplify or diminish the forces that can be applied to them, they have no effect on the overall amount of effort required to complete the activity. More complex machines such as engines or motors can change the amount of energy needed to perform an action.
Mechanical machines consist of two main components: a motor and mechanism. The motor turns the mechanism which in turn performs some function. For example, a wheel with spikes can be used as a form of traction instead of a rope because it does not get worn out like a rope would. Mechanical machines can be divided up into three general categories: expanding mechanisms, contracting mechanisms, and combining mechanisms. Expanding mechanisms include cranks, camshafts, and rotors. These devices use expansion to produce movement. As they expand and contract, they lift or lower levers or attachments which in turn perform work. Expanding mechanisms cannot create new motion from static start-up conditions because there is no way for them to retain this expanded state. For example, if a crank were to stop turning at its current position, it would collapse back down to earth because there is no force acting on it other than its weight. This means that expanding mechanisms must be given time to fully expand before any work can be done on them.
Contracting mechanisms include springs and pistons.
This is the fifth and final installment of our hands-on Simple Machines science program. We discussed the six simple machines in this Levers and Pulleys Simple Machines Lesson: inclined plane, wheel and axle (with a close up on gears), screw, wedge, lever, and pulley.
In addition to providing mechanical advantage, levers can be used for amplification or reduction. Amplification occurs when a small force produces a large movement. Reduction occurs when there is a large force required to produce a small movement.
Amplification can be useful when you need to make a small signal from a source that has limited capacity to generate signals. For example, if you need to send a message down a line from one end of a field to the other, it can be done using electricity which can pass along many more messages than humans could carry in a day. The key here is that the signal must be kept small enough so that it does not cause damage to itself or others. Electric lights are often described as being "amazingly powerful," because they can reach far into dark areas where humans could not go unaided before. But even a tiny spark could set them off, so engineers must take great care not to expose electrical equipment to sources of ignition, such as open flames or electric currents.
Reduction can be useful when you need to move a large object using a small motor.
The 6 simple machines are: wedge, screw, lever, wheel, axel, inclined plane, and pulley. These mechanical devices use one machine to produce an effect that would require many different machines to do otherwise.
Rube Goldberg was an American cartoonist who invented many ingenious mechanical toys and games. His cartoons were often accompanied by jokes written by his wife Esther Goldberg. Some of his most famous drawings include a machine for making ice cream (which also made whiskey and beer), a machine for making eggs in a bottle, and a machine that brewed coffee. His inventions have been used as a source of inspiration for designers of modern technology.
In 1934, Goldberg published a book titled The Book of Mechanical Jokes. This is now considered a seminal work on humor in technology.
In 1960, he published another book called I Am the Cheese! which included his views on design and creativity.
In 2007, a museum devoted to his life and work was opened in Los Angeles.
So, these are the six simple machines from which all modern technology is made. Thank you for watching this video.
The inclined plane, lever, wedge, wheel and axle, pulley, and screw are examples of basic machines. Six straightforward devices for converting energy into work.
The word "machine" comes from Latin mola, meaning "wedge," which in turn comes from Greek mikros, meaning "small." So a machine is any device that produces useable power by reducing force. The term "mechanism" is also used to describe such a device. Although modern machines can be very complex, the simplest ones need only three parts: an engine or motor, a drive system, and a tool holder (if necessary).
Simple machines can be used to lift heavy objects such as rocks, or they can drive small tools such as hammers or drills. But their power sources can be only one direction; they cannot create force directly like a motor can. For example, a man using a lever can raise weights beyond what he could lift himself but cannot go anywhere else without help from another person or object. A windmill uses wind pressure to push two plates together at right angles, creating enough force to spin a tool like a drill bit.
In construction technology, some other terms are often used instead. Engines are called drives, and tools are called instruments.
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