SIMPLE MACHINES
D. Answer the following in short.
1. When is work said to be done?
Ans. Work is said to be done when a force applied on an object displaces the
object in the direction of the force.
2. Define a simple machine.
Ans. A simple machine is a tool that has few or no moving part.
3. What do you understand by the term ‘mechanical advantage of a machine’?
Ans. The factor by which a machine multiplies the force applied is called its
mechanical advantage.
4. What is a lever? On what basis, levers are classified?
Ans. A lever is a rigid bar that can rotate freely about a point. Levers are classified
on the basis of the relative positions of load, effort and fulcrum.
5. State the principle on which a wedge works.
Ans. A wedge works on the principle that the sharp edge formed by a doubled
inclined plane can be used to cut, slice or push things apart.
6. State the wheel-and-axle arrangement in brief.
Ans. A wheel-and-axle arrangement consists of a wheel attached to a rod called
axle such that when the wheel is made to rotate, the axle also rotates.
[Link] the following in detail.
1. Using a suitable example, describe how a machine acts as a force multiplier.
Ans. A machine can change the magnitude of applied force.
E.g: It is very difficult to open a sealed metal cap of a cold drink bottle with our
bare [Link] a bottle opener multiplies the applied force and much less
effort is required to open the cap. Hence machines acts as a force multiplier.
2. Draw diagrams to show the positions of load,effort, fulcrum in Class II and
Class III levers. Explain how their mechanical advantages are different.
Ans.
● In Class II levers, the effort arm is always longer than the load arm and this
helps us by multiplying the applied force (effort). The mechanical
advantage of a Class II lever is always greater than one.
● In Class III levers, the effort arm is always shorter than the load arm and
this type of lever reduces the applied force (effort). The mechanical
advantage of a Class III lever is always less than one.
Diagrams –Pg No 58 of textbook –Class II and Class III lever to be drawn
3. What is an inclined plane? List the uses of an inclined plane.
Ans. An inclined plane is a rigid sloping surface over which heavy loads can be
raised or lowered to a certain height or depth.
The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane is greater than one.
Inclined plane can be used to lift heavy loads with less effort.
Ex : Ramps, roads on hills, stair cases.
4. What is a screw ? Describe its advantage over a nail.
Ans. A screw is a cylindrical rod marked with winding spiral edge called thread.
A screw is actually an inclined plane wound around a rod. There are many
advantages of screw over a nail.
1. When a screw is forced and rotated into a piece of wood, it travels a longer
distance than a nail would.
[Link] effort is needed to drive a screw into a block of wood than to drive a nail.
5. Describe a pulley. Differentiate between a single fixed pulley and a single
movable pulley.
Ans. Pg no 61,62 in textbook.(pg 61- pulley, pg 62 single fixed and single movable
pulley)
6. Mention any three ways by which we can take care of machines.
Ans. 1. Machines should be kept in a clean environment ,which is free from dust
and moisture.
2. When not in use, machines should be kept covered to prevent the collection of
dust on them.
3. The moving parts of the machine should be regularly oiled with a good quality
machine oil to reduce friction and wear and tear.