Simple machines, are exactly as the name suggests. Levers, Pulleys, wedges, ramps, wheels and axles are examples of simple machines. They typically only need  single force to work correctly  

Firstly how to simple machines work?

Simple machines are designed to decrease the amount of effort required to move an object.

Using these machines, we have a mechanical advantage. We can calculate the mechanical advantage using the following equation.

Effort applied / load move

They work as either force magnifiers (decreasing the amount of effort required) or distance magnifiers (moving the load a greater distance).

Simple Machines

Pulleys

A pulley is a rotating wheel with a grooved circumference. These grooves provide grip and friction for the rope.

They am to change the direction and size of an applied force.

Click here for more information

Levers

Scissors, pliers, wheelbarrows and seesaws are examples of levers.

There are three components to every lever. Effort, fulcrum and load.

Click here for more information on levers

Gears

Gears are toothed wheels that transmit, rotational force onto another gear or device.

The teeth must mesh with one another to ensure no slipping.

Different sized gears have different speed and torque.

Click here for more information

Hydraulics

Through out your life you will use hydraulics. We can use hydraulics to transfer forces from one machine to another.

We often use Fluids (gas or liquids) to transmit large forces smoothly through hydraulics.  

Click here for more information on hydraulics

Torque

Any time we turn a door knob, use a wrench to tighten or loosen a blot the turning force produces torque.

However Torque its self is not a force. Force causes something to accelerate or move but torque, causes something to rotate.

Click here for more information