Simple Machines

Simple machines are tools that help us do work. They have been used by people for thousands of years. There are six main simple machines. They include the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge, and screw.

Why We Use Them

Simple machines make hard jobs easier. They let us lift heavy things without using as much strength. They can also help us move objects faster or farther. A seesaw is a kind of lever that kids use at the playground. Even scissors are made from two simple machines put together.

Machines All Around

Simple machines are everywhere in daily life. Door knobs, bottle openers, and ramps are all simple machines. When you put many simple machines together, you get a complex machine. Bicycles and cars are made of many simple machines working together. Learning about them helps us understand how things work.

Fun Facts

• The ancient Egyptians used simple machines to build the pyramids.
• A pair of scissors is made of two levers and two wedges.
• Your arm works like a lever when you lift something.

Did You Know?

A Greek scientist named Archimedes studied simple machines over 2,000 years ago and wrote about how they work.