Form 2 Chapter 10: SIMPLE MACHINE

Chapter 10: SIMPLE MACHINE

10.1 LEVERS
1. Simple machine is a device which helps us to overcome a load with less effort or force
2. Types of simple machines:
(a) Lever
(b) Pulley
(c) Wedge
(d) Screw
(e) Incline and plane
(f) Wheel and axel
3. 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)
4. Using a level to overcome a large load with a small effort

(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
First Class Lever
1. The fulcrum is between the effort and the load
2. To make work easier, the distance of load should be shorter than the distance of effort. Thus, a heavy load
is moved by a small effort.
3. Some examples are scissors, pliers, crowbar and hammer.

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Form 2 Chapter 10: SIMPLE MACHINE

Second Class Lever

1. The load is between the fulcrum and the effort
2. To make work easier, the distance of load should be shorter than the distance of effort. Thus, a heavy load
is moved by a small effort.
3. Some examples are wheelbarrow, nut cracker, bottle opener, opening the hood of a car and paper cutter

Third Class Lever

1. The effort is between the load and the fulcrum
2. Large force is used to move a small load. Load is further from the fulcrum than the effort.
3. Some examples are ice tongs, fishing rod, broom, stapler, knife, golf, forceps, badminton racquet and our
forearm

Principle of levers
Load (N) Distance of load from fulcrum (m) = Effort (N) Distance of effort from fulcrum (m)

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Form 2 Chapter 10: SIMPLE MACHINE

The Moment of a Force

1. When a force is applied to an object, it can turn the object about a certain point called the fulcrum or pivot.
This turning effect of a force is called the moment of force.
2. The moment of a force depends on:
(a) The force (F) applied
(b) The perpendicular distance (d) from the pivot to the force (F)

3. Moment of force (N m) = Force (N) x Perpendicular distance from the pivot to the force (m)
4. The greater the force used, the greater is the moment of the force
5. The longer the distance, the greater is the moment of the force
Principle of moment
1. When the lever is in EQUILIBRIUM , the sum of the anticlockwise moments about a point is equal to the
sum of the clockwise
2. Load (N) Distance of load from fulcrum (m) = Effort (N) Distance of effort from fulcrum (m)