Simple Machines

physics · tools · mechanical advantage

Six classic machines. Scientists recognized six simple machines that do all heavy lifting: the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw. These are the building blocks for almost every tool and machine you see.

Force multipliers. Simple machines don't create energy from nothing, but they let you use less force to move something heavy. A lever lets you lift a boulder with a stick, and a pulley system spreads the weight so it feels lighter.

Change direction or power. Some simple machines change which way you push (a pulley lets you pull down to lift something up), while others multiply your strength (a wedge splits wood with focused force). They're all about working smarter, not harder.

Ancient and modern. People have used simple machines for thousands of years to build pyramids, temples, and ships. Today they're still inside everything from cars to cranes to scissors.

Mix and match. Complex machines like bicycles and elevators are actually combinations of simple machines working together to do amazing things.