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Simple machines in our daily lives
People use different simple machines in their daily lives. Simple machines help people in different ways.
There are six different simple machines, and they are all around.
Press the following tabs to learn all about the six different simple machines.
This scooter is a simple machine. It has wheels and axles. A wheel is what makes the scooter go round and round. An axle is a small rod or stick that goes through the wheel and helps move the wheel around. It can be long or short.
Explore the following animation. Do you notice the wheel? Do you notice the axle?
They are working together!
Description
A learner is pushing one of two wheels that are attached to each end of an axle. An arrow shows she is pushing forward. The wheels move easily.
The doorstop is a simple machine. It is a wedge! A wedge has at least one side that is slanted. A wedge can hold something in its place or pull something apart.
Explore the animation. Do you notice a slanted side? Is the wedge pulling something apart or holding something in its place?
Description
A person is using an axe to cut a log into two pieces. An arrow shows the downward direction of the axe. Two arrows, one to the right and one to the left, show the direction the chopped pieces of wood fall.
A clothesline is a simple machine. It is a pulley! A pulley uses a wheel and a rope to move and object. It can also pull an object up or pull it down.
Explore the animation. Do you notice the rope? Do you notice the wheel?
They are working together!
A teeter totter is a simple machine. It is a lever! A lever is a bar that has a piece in the middle of it. It’s called a fulcrum. It makes the bar move up and down.
Explore the animation. Do you notice the bar? Do you notice the fulcrum?
They are working together!
A slide is a simple machine. It is called an inclined plane! An inclined plane is a thing that is slanted which means it is not flat. There is a lower point and a higher point. This makes it easier to move something. A slide that was flat just wouldn’t work!
Explore the animation. Do you notice the inclined plane? Does it have a lower point? And a higher point?
This makes it easier to move something.
Description
A learner is pulling a weight wrapped with a rope up an inclined plane towards herself. An arrow pointing up shows the direction of movement.
The water bottle cap is a simple machine. It is a screw! A screw holds things together. It has ridges around it called threads. The water bottle also has ridges around it and when you put the cap on, they match up. You can make a screw tighter by turning it one way and looser by turning it the other way.
Explore the animation. Do you notice the screw? How is it being turned?
Check your learning!
For each object select the corresponding simple machine.
On the farm
Simple machines help people do work and they make the work easier to do.
In this learning activity, we will explore the simple machines on a farm.
We’ll also learn the ways farmers might use simple machines to help them do work.
There’s always lots to do on a farm including:
- growing and harvesting crops
- feeding and caring for animals
- working with different equipment such as tractors, saws, axes, etc.
- maintaining barns, yards, fences, etc.
- preparing to ship items to shops
What might a farmer use to gather water for their garden? Could it be a simple machine?
Examine the following image.
The farmer is lifting water from a well to water their flower garden.
What simple machine is the farmer using to lift and lower the bucket of water?
Press ‘Answer’ to learn what simple machine the farmer is using.
The farmer is using a pulley.
There is a wheel, and a rope runs over the wheel.
A bucket of water (the load) is attached to one end of the rope.
Pulling on the other end lifts moves the bucket.
Examine another image.
A farmer is climbing up a set of stairs to get bales of hay for the horses.
What simple machine is the farmer using to get up to the hayloft?
Press ‘Answer’ to learn what simple machine the farmer is using.
The farmer is using an inclined plane.
An inclined plane is a simple machine that helps people move from a lower level to a higher level, or to another floor in a building like this barn.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and Reflect
What is an example of another simple machine the farmer could use to get up to the hayloft?
Record your ideas using a method of your choice.
How do simple machines make work easier?
There is always a lot of work to do on the farm!
Examine the following videos.
For each tool:
Press ‘Answer’ to learn about the simple machine in this video.
The simple machine in this video is an axe. An axe is a wedge. The axe is cutting the log. This helps the farmer cut the logs easily.
Press ‘Answer’ to learn about the simple machine in this video.
The simple machine in this video is a tractor. It has a wheel and axle. The tractor has a part on its back that is helping to dig the soil. This helps the farmer, so they don’t have to dig the soil themselves.
Press ‘Answer’ to learn about the simple machine in this video.
The simple machine in this video is a giant screw. It is making a hole in the ground to plant something like a tree. This helps the farmer, so they don’t have to dig the hole by themselves.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
You have explored the different ways simple machines are used on a farm.
Create your own scene.
Start by selecting a place that you are familiar with. For example:
- your learning space or classroom
- a garden
- community centre
- where you live
- a playground
Then, add 2-3 different simple machines and be sure to:
- name the simple machine
- describe how it works
- describe how people might use the simple machine
For example, you could add a slide to a playground. That’s an example of an inclined plane.
Complete the Simple Machines Organizer in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
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My scene: ___________________________ |
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Use pictures and/or words to describe your scene. |
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Simple machine 1: |
Simple machine 2: |
Simple machine 3: |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Simple Machines Organizer.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.