CHAPTER 10

Simple machines

CHAPTER 10

Simple machines
UNIT 10.1 Analysing lever

List things around them that use the principle of the lever
State what a lever can do
Identify load, force and fulcrum of the lever
Classify lever
Explain what is meant by the moment of force
Solve problems related to levers

Lever is

What is Lever ?

a) A simple machine
b) Enables small effort to overcome a
heavy load
c) Can be used to lift heavy objects

d) Makes work easier

A lever is a simple machine which turns
about a fixed point called the FULCRUM (F)
when a force called the EFFORT (E) is
applied to overcome a resisting force
known as the LOAD (L).

Types of Simple Machines

Wedge
Lever

Wheel and
axle

6 types of simple machines

Screw
Pulley

Inclined
plane

What is Lever ?
A lever has 3 parts
a)Fulcrum (F) the turning point or pivot
b)Effort (E) the force applied to
overcome a resisting force called the
load

c)Load (L) the resisting force exerted

by an object

Simple Machines
E
F

F
L

E
F

E
L

L
L
L

What is Lever ?
Lever can be classified into
a) 1st class
b)

2nd class

c)

3rd class

Classes of Levers

Lever

A lever is a simple machine which turns

about a fixed point called the FULCRUM
(F) when a force called the EFFORT (E)
is applied to overcome a resisting force
known as the LOAD (L).

3 classes of levers

First class

Second class

Third class

First Class Lever

1st class

E
F

First class
lever

Relative position of
F, E and L

F between E and L

Common
characteristics

Small force is used to move

a large load
Effort moves through a
longer distance than the
load
Effort is further from the
fulcrum than the load

Common
devices

Claw hammer
Pliers
Scissors
Crowbar

Second Class Lever

2nd class

Second class
lever

Relative position of
F, E and L

L between F and E

Common
characteristics

Small force is used to move

a large load
Effort moves through a
longer distance than the
load
Effort is further from the
fulcrum than the load

F
L

Common
devices

Wheelbarrow
Bottle opener
Paper cutter
Nutcracker

Third Class Lever

3rd class

Third class
lever

Relative position of
F, E and L

E between F and L

Common
characteristics

Large force is used to move

a small load
Load moves through a
longer distance than the
effort
Load is further from the
fulcrum than the effort

Common
devices

Fishing rod
Broom
Ice tongs
Human arm

1st class

E
F

2nd class

F
L

3rd class

F
L

F
E

F
L

L
L
E

L
L

What is the Moment of a Force?

When we loosen a bolt using a spanner, a force that is applied has
a turning effect on the spanner.
This turning effect of force is known as the moment of force
Spanner

Spanner
P

Force
18 cm

Force
7 cm

a) It is easier to loosen the bolt if you hold the spanner at

position P than Q because the turning effect is greater.
b) It is also easier to loosen the bolt if a larger force is applied at
P to cause a greater turning effect.

What is the Moment of a Force?

The moment of a force is the turning effect of
the force
The moment of a force is defined as:
Moment of
a force (N m)

= Force (N) x

The moment of a force

can be increased by

Perpendicular distance from

the pivot to the force (m)

Increasing the size of

the force
Applying the force at a further
distance from the pivot

To Calculate the Moment of a Force

Opening a door

0.6 m

4N

Moment of
a force (N m)

= Force (N) x
= 4N

= 2.4 N m

Perpendicular distance from

the pivot to the force (m)

0.6 m

Principle of Moments in a Lever

The effort and the load
produce opposing moments

Anticlockwise moment

When the lever is in EQUILIBRIUM, the sum of the anticlockwise

moments about a point is equal to the sum of the clockwise

Principle Of Moments in a Lever

When the lever system is balanced

Anticlockwise moment

Load (N) x Distance of load

from fulcrum (m)

Clockwise moment

Effort (N) x Distance of effort

from fulcrum (m)

Moments in a Lever

30 cm

250 g

400 g

Calculate the value of x using the equation below:

Load (N) x Distance of load
from fulcrum (m)

Effort (N) x Distance of effort

from fulcrum (m)

Answer : 18.75 cm

CHAPTER 10

Simple machines
UNIT 10.1

Appreciating the innovative

efforts in the design of machine

Devices that Using the Principle of Levers

A spade
Tongs

A hockey
stick

Devices using the principle of levers

A crane

A fishing rod
A fire engine

SMK Perempuan Likas

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