Simple and Compound Machines;
Machine Efficiency and Friction
These notes combine key ideas from the class presentations on machines, motion, work, efficiency,
and friction. Use them to review definitions, formulas, and examples.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
Apply concepts of translational and rotational motion in machine design.
Explain how simple and compound machines work.
Identify characteristics of efficient machines.
Design ideas for efficient machine prototypes (with low friction and good motion transfer).
Key Terms and Definitions
Machine — a device that makes work easier by changing the direction or magnitude (size) of a
force.
Work — the transfer of energy when a force causes an object to move in the direction of the
force.
Force — a push or pull on an object (measured in newtons, N).
Distance / displacement — how far an object moves (measured in meters, m).
Simple machine — a basic device with few or no moving parts that changes force or motion to
help do work.
Compound machine — a machine made of two or more simple machines working together.
Efficiency — the percent of input energy (or work) that becomes useful output energy (or work).
Friction — a force that opposes motion between surfaces in contact; it “uses up” some input
energy as heat and sound.
Types of Motion (Review)
Translational motion — motion along a straight or curved path where every part of the object
moves the same distance.
Example: an elevator moving up and down.
Rotational motion — motion around an axis; different parts of the object move through different
distances.
Example: a bicycle wheel spinning.
Key idea — Many real machines use both translational and rotational motion at the same
time (for example, wheels rolling while the whole object moves forward).
What is a Machine?
A machine is a device that makes work easier by changing the direction or magnitude of a force.
Machines can:
Multiply force (make a small force act like a bigger one).
Change the direction of a force (push down to lift up).
Increase speed or distance moved (often with less force).
All machines—no matter how complex—are made from combinations of simple machines.
What is Work?
In physics, work happens when a force causes displacement (movement).
Work = Force × Distance
Work is only done if the object moves. If there is no movement, then no work is done—even if you
are pushing hard.
Simple Machines
Simple machines are the simplest mechanisms that modify force and/or motion to perform work (often
by providing leverage or mechanical advantage).
Simple Machine Definition (student-friendly) Examples (from the
presentations)
Lever A rigid bar that pivots around a Seesaw, crowbar
fixed point (fulcrum) to lift or
move a load.
Pulley A grooved wheel with a rope or Flagpole, construction crane
cable used to lift or move loads
(often changes force direction).
Wedge Two inclined planes joined Knife, axe
together; used to split, cut, or
hold objects.
Inclined plane A slanted surface that raises or Ramp, staircase
lowers objects using less force
over a longer distance.
Screw An inclined plane wrapped Jar lid, bolt
around a cylinder; converts
rotational motion into linear
motion.
Wheel and axle A large wheel attached to a Doorknob, bicycle wheel
smaller axle; they rotate
together to make tasks easier
(often reduces friction and
changes force/speed).
Compound Machines
A compound machine is a machine that consists of more than one simple machine working
together.
Example: Wheelbarrow
Why a wheelbarrow is a compound machine:
Lever — the handles and tray act like a second-class lever to lift and carry the load.
Wheel and axle — the front wheel rotates to reduce friction with the ground and makes moving
heavy loads easier (rolling is easier than sliding).
Together, these simple machines make lifting and moving loads more efficient for the user.
Machine Efficiency
Efficiency tells you how well a machine converts input energy (or input work) into useful output
energy (or output work).
In real life, efficiency is always less than 100% because some energy is lost—mainly due to friction
(and sometimes sound or deformation).
Remember — Machines can make a task feel easier, but they do not create extra energy. Some
input energy is always “spent” overcoming friction.
Efficiency formula:
Efficiency = (Energy Output / Energy Input) × 100
Friction and Efficiency
Friction is the force opposing motion between surfaces. More friction means more input energy turns
into heat instead of useful output, so efficiency decreases.
Factors that can improve machine efficiency:
Reduce friction — smoother surfaces, lubrication, wheels instead of sliding.
Better design & materials — good bearings, aligned parts, strong materials that don’t bend
easily.
Fewer components (when possible) — more parts can mean more friction and more energy
loss.
Smart use of mechanical advantage — can reduce effort, but extra contact points may
increase friction; balance is important.
Short Summary
Machines make work easier by changing the direction or size of a force, but they don’t
create extra energy.
Work happens only when a force causes movement: Work = Force × Distance.
Simple machines (lever, pulley, wedge, inclined plane, screw, wheel and axle) are the
building blocks of compound machines.
Efficiency measures useful output compared to input: Efficiency = (Energy Output /
Energy Input) × 100.
Friction reduces efficiency; good design and materials help reduce friction and energy
loss.
SIMPLE AND
GRADE
11
SCIENCE
COMPOUND MACHINES
Machines make work easier by changing the size or direction of a force.
TRANSLATIONAL MOTION ROTATIONAL MOTION
An object moves in a straight line. An object spins around an axis.
Push or pull in a straight line. Turns around a fixed point or axis.
SIMPLE MACHINES
The basic building blocks of machines.
1 LEVER 2 PULLEY 3 WEDGE 4 INCLINED 5 SCREW 6 WHEEL AND
PLANE AXLE
A rigid bar that A wheel with a A triangular shape A sloped surface An inclined plane A large wheel
pivots on a groove and rope that connects that reduces the wrapped around a attached to a smaller
fulcrum to move a that changes force to split, cut, force needed to cylinder that connects axle that reduces
load. direction of force or separate lift a load to a turning motion to friction and makes
and can lift loads. materials. higher level. linear force. movement easier.
Effort Fulcrum Load
COMPOUND
1 LEVER 2 WHEEL AND AXLE
MACHINE EXAMPLE
The handles act The wheel and axle
WHEELBARROW as a lever to lift reduce friction and
and balance the make it easier to
Combines two or more load. move the load.
simple machines to do
work efficiently.
MACHINE EFFICIENCY FRICTION REDUCES EFFICIENCY
Efficiency compares the useful output of a Friction is a force that opposes motion
machine to the input used. between surfaces in contact.
Energy Output Friction causes some input energy to be
lost as heat and sound.
Efficiency = x 100
More friction = more energy lost.
Less friction (e.g., using lubricants or
smooth surfaces) = higher efficiency.
KEY IDEA: Mechines don’t do less work—they help us do the work easier and smarter!