PS-12-Identifying Simple Machines worksheet - Free Printable

I'll solve this worksheet on simple machines by identifying each machine in the diagrams and answering the questions. Let me work through this step by step.

First, I need to identify the simple machines shown in images A through F.

Looking at image A: This shows a hammer being used to pull out a nail. The hammer is pivoting on a point (the claw against the wood), which makes it a lever.

Looking at image B: This shows a person pushing a box up a ramp. This is clearly an inclined plane.

Looking at image C: This shows a flag being raised using a pulley system with a rope and wheel. This is a pulley.

Looking at image D: This shows a bicycle wheel and pedal mechanism. The wheel rotates around an axle, so this is a wheel and axle.

Looking at image E: This shows an axe chopping wood. The blade of the axe is a wedge, tapering to a sharp edge.

Looking at image F: This shows a screw and what appears to be a screw jack or similar device. The screw is a spiral inclined plane.

Now let me answer question 3, which asks to identify simple machines based on descriptions:

a. sloping surface - This is an inclined plane
b. rope over a wheel - This is a pulley
c. bar pivoting on a fixed point - This is a lever
d. spiral inclined plane - This is a screw
e. wheel connected to a shaft - This is a wheel and axle
f. slope tapering to a sharp edge - This is a wedge

For question 4, naming the simple machine used for specific tasks:

a. chop wood - This is typically done with an axe, which is a wedge
b. load railroad cars - This often involves ramps, which are inclined planes
c. remove tacks - This is typically done with a hammer (lever) or pliers (lever)
d. fasten pieces of wood - This is typically done with screws (screw) or nails (which might involve a lever like a hammer)
e. reduce friction on rolling objects - This involves wheels and axles
f. raise and lower a sail - This typically uses pulleys

For question 5, completing sentences with "effort," "energy," or "simple":

a. A machine can never do more work than the amount of energy put into it. (Conservation of energy principle)
b. No matter how complex machines seem, they are all forms of six simple machines.
c. Simple machines help us make better use of our effort. (They don't create energy but allow us to apply force more effectively)

Let me now provide the complete answers for the worksheet.

Answers:

A. lever
B. inclined plane
C. pulley
D. wheel and axle
E. wedge
F. screw

3.
a. inclined plane
b. pulley
c. lever
d. screw
e. wheel and axle
f. wedge

4.
a. wedge
b. inclined plane
c. lever
d. screw
e. wheel and axle
f. pulley

5.
a. energy
b. simple
c. effort