Work and Simple Machines

Review Work and Power

Work is the use of force to

move an object some
distance.
Work is done only when an
object that is being pushed or
pulled actually moves.

Work is done.

Applied Force

Direction of motion

Work is being done because the force

and motion are in the same direction

Applied Force

No motion

Work is not done.

Work is not being done because

there is not movement of the box.

Calculating Work
Work = force (N) x distance (m)
Joules= Newton x meters
remember that Joules is also the unit
for energy, so work must be a form
of ENERGY.
Work = Energy

How much work is done if a person lifts

a barbell weighing 450 N to a height
of 2 m?

F= 450 N
W=F*d
W= (450 N) *(2 m)
W= 900 N-m
W= 900 J

d=2 m

Power is
Power= Work ( or Energy)
Time
P= E
t
The unit for power is the watt (W).
One Watt equals one joule per second.

An Antarctic explorer uses 6000 Joules

of work to pull his sled for 60 sec.
What power does he need?

Work: 6000 J
P= W/t
P= 6000 J/ 60 sec
P= 100 J/sec
P= 100 W

time: 60 sec

When you do work on an object,

you transfer the energy of that
object. Energy is transferred
from yourself to the object.
object
Power is equal to the amount of
energy transferred over a
certain time.
time

Using Machines

Output force is the force

exerted by a machine
Input force is the force
exerted on a machine.

Machines and Mechanical

Advantage

A machine makes work easier

by

1. Increasing the force

2. Increasing the Distance
3. Changing the direction of
the force

Mechanical Advantage is
Mechanical Advantage is output work
divided by input work.
M.A. = output work
input work

Efficiency
Efficiency is the ratio of the output
force divided by the input force. An
ideal machine would be 100%
efficient.
Efficiency=output work x 100 %
input work

Simple Machines

What is a Simple Machine?

A simple machine is a
machine that does work only
in one movement.

What is a compound
machine?
A compound machine is a
machine made up of two or
more simple machines.

Inclined planea flat, sloped

surface
1. Inclined plane gets longer, the
force needed to move the object
is smaller.
2. The mechanical advantage=
length of the inclined plane
height of the inclined plane

Inclined Planes
Longer Incline Plane:
________ force is needed
to move an object

Shorter Inclined Plane:

________ force is needed
to move an object.

Lifting Without an Inclined Plane:

__________________force is need to move the object

Leverany rigid rod or plank

that pivots about a point.
1. the point about which the lever
pivotsfulcrum
2. Mechanical advantage=
distance from fulcrum to input force
distance from fulcrum to output force

Levers can be divided into classes

depending on the position of the fulcrum.

Wheel and axletwo circular objects

of different sizes that rotate together
1.The mechanical advantage=
the radius of the wheel
radius of the axle
1.If the input force is applied to the axle, the
mechanical advantage is less than one,
examples:: fan or ferris wheel.
2.If the input force is applied to the wheel,
the mechanical advantage is almost
always more than one examples:: a
doorknob or steering wheel.

Pulleygrooved wheel with a

rope or chain wrapped around it
1. Fixed pulleys, such as on window blinds or
flagpoles, are attached to an overhead
structure and change the direction of the
force you exert; mechanical advantage of
one.
2. Moveable pulleys are attached to the
object being lifted and allow you to exert
a smaller force; mechanical advantage of
two.
3. Pulley systemcombination of fixed and
movable pulleys

Pulleys
Type of Effect on
Pulley
force
Fixed
pulley
Movable
pulley

Pulley
System

Mechanical
Advantage

Inclined plane that moves

wedge; changes the
direction of the applied force;
example: your front teeth

ScrewInclined plane
wrapped around a cylinder or
post;

mechanical advantage =

the length of inclined plane around screw

the length of the screw.

Assignment: