Science
What is Simple Machine?
A simple machine is a basic device that makes work easier by changing the size or direction of a force. There are six classic types — the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge, and screw — and almost every complex machine is built from combinations of them.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains simple machine.
Key things to understand
- 1Simple machines don't reduce the total work needed — they trade force for distance, letting you use less force over a longer distance.
- 2The six classic simple machines are the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw.
- 3They make tasks easier by changing how much force you apply or which direction you apply it.
- 4The factor by which a machine multiplies your force is called its mechanical advantage.
- 5Complex machines — bikes, cranes, cars — are just clever combinations of simple machines.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the six simple machines?
- The lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw. Each makes work easier by changing the size or direction of a force.
- Do simple machines reduce the work you do?
- No — they reduce the force needed, but you apply it over a longer distance, so the total work stays the same (friction makes it slightly more). They make hard tasks feel easier.
- What is mechanical advantage?
- It's how many times a machine multiplies your effort. A lever that lets you lift a load with half the force has a mechanical advantage of 2.