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This article is about the concept in physics. For the Internet forum software, see Simple Machines Forum.


In physics, a simple machine is any device that only requires the application of a single force to work. Work is done when a force is applied and results in movement over a set distance. The work done is the product of the force and the distance. The amount of work required to achieve a set objective is constant; however the force required can be reduced provided the lesser force is applied over a longer distance. The ratio between the two forces is the mechanical advantage.

The traditional list of simple machines is: (The letters are a mnemonic, because their shapes resemble the shapes of the simple machines.)

The ratio of the output force to the input force is the mechanical advantage. For example, the mechanical advantage of a lever is equal to the ratio of its two arms. The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane (with the force acting parallel to the plane) is the cosecant of the angle of inclination.

Note: Real machines are also affected by factors such as friction and elasticity, so the actual mechanical advantage of a simple machine will usually differ from its theoretical value.


These simple machines fall into two general classes; those dependent on the vector resolution of forces (inclined plane, wedge, screw) and those in which there is an equilibrium of torques (lever, pulley, wheel). Simple machines are often used in combination as components of more complex machines. For example: wheels, axles, levers, and pulleys are all used in the formation of modern bicycles.

Variations to the list of simple machines:
  • Some say there are only six simple machines, arguing that the wedge is a moving inclined plane.
  • Others further simplify the list to four saying that the screw is a helical inclined plane. This position is less accepted because a screw simultaneously converts a rotational force (torque) to a linear force.
  • Some go even further to insist that only two simple machines exist, as a pulley and wheel and axle can be viewed as unique forms of levers, leaving only the lever and the inclined plane.
  • Hydraulic and hydrostatic systems are sometimes included.http://www.tpub.com/content/engine/14037/

See also

Internet forum is a web application for holding discussions and posting user generated content. Internet forums are also commonly referred to as web forums, message boards, discussion boards, (electronic) discussion groups, discussion forums,
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Maintainer: The SMF Team

Use: Forum software
License: Simple Machines License
Website: Simple Machines

Simple Machines Forum (abbreviated as SMF) is a freeware Internet forum script.
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Physics is the science of matter[1] and its motion[2][3], as well as space and time[4][5] —the science that deals with concepts such as force, energy, mass, and charge.
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In physics, force is an action or agency that causes a body of mass m to accelerate. It may be experienced as a lift, a push, or a pull. The acceleration of the body is proportional to the vector sum of all forces acting on it (known as net force or resultant force).
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In physics, mechanical work is the amount of energy transferred by a force. Like energy, it is a scalar quantity, with SI units of joules. Heat conduction is not considered to be a form of work, since there is no macroscopically measurable force, only microscopic forces occurring
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The wheel and axle is a simple machine. It consists of a wheel that turns an axle, or an axle that turns a wheel. It is also a lever that turns in circles around a point or fulcrum. The load on the axle is more easily moved because of mechanical advantage.
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lever (from French lever, "to raise", c.f. a levant) is a rigid object that is used with an appropriate fulcrum or pivot point to multiply the mechanical force that can be applied to another object.
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pulley (also called a sheave or block) is a wheel with a groove between two flanges around its circumference. The groove normally locates a rope, cable or belt. Pulleys are used to change the direction of an applied force, transmit rotational motion, or realize a mechanical
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wedge is a portable double inclined plane, used either to separate two objects, or portions of objects, or hold an object in place, through the application of force, perpendicular to the inclined surfaces, developed by conversion of force applied to the wide end.
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A screw is one of the six simple machines. A simple screw is a helical inclined plane. A screw can convert a rotational force (torque) to a linear force and vice versa. The ratio of threading determines the mechanical advantage of the machine.
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A gear is a component within a transmission device that transmits rotational force to another gear or device. A gear is different from a pulley in that a gear is a round wheel which has linkages ("teeth" or "cogs") that mesh with other gear teeth, allowing force to be fully
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This article deals with the physical structure. For related terms see, canal inclined plane, cable railway, funicular, or fixed-wing aircraft (airplane).

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Not to be confused with pneumonic.


A mnemonic (pronounced IPA: /niːˈmɒnɪk/ in RP, /nɨˈmɑnɨk/
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In physics and engineering, mechanical advantage (MA) is the factor by which a mechanism multiplies the force put into it. Following are simple machines where the mechanical advantage is calculated.

  • The beam shown is in static equilibrium around the fulcrum.

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trigonometric functions (also called circular functions) are functions of an angle. They are important in the study of triangles and modeling periodic phenomena, among many other applications.
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Friction is the force of two surfaces in contact. It is not a fundamental force, as it is derived from electromagnetic forces between atoms. When contacting surfaces move relative to each other, the friction between the two objects converts kinetic energy into thermal energy, or
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Elastic may refer to:
  • Elastic collision, a term describing collisions in which kinetic energy is conserved
  • Elastic deformations, a term describing reversible deformations of materials

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spatial vector, or simply vector, is a concept characterized by a magnitude and a direction. A vector can be thought of as an arrow in Euclidean space, drawn from an initial point A pointing to a terminal point B.
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mechanical equilibrium is:
A system is in mechanical equilibrium when the sum of the forces, and torque, on each particle of the system is zero,



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torque (or often called a moment) can informally be thought of as "rotational force" or "angular force" which causes a change in rotational motion. This force is defined by linear force multiplied by a radius.

The SI unit for torque is the newton meter (N m). In U.S.
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racing bicycle is built using lightweight, shaped aluminium tubing and carbon fiber stays and forks. It sports a drop handlebar and thin tires and wheels for efficiency and aerodynamics.
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torque (or often called a moment) can informally be thought of as "rotational force" or "angular force" which causes a change in rotational motion. This force is defined by linear force multiplied by a radius.

The SI unit for torque is the newton meter (N m). In U.S.
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Hydraulics is a topic of science and engineering dealing with the mechanical properties of liquids. Hydraulics is part of the more general discipline of fluid power. Fluid mechanics provides the theoretical foundation for hydraulics, which focuses on the engineering uses of fluid
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machine (derived from the latin machina) is any device that transmits or modifies . In common usage, the meaning is restricted to devices having rigid moving parts that perform or assist in performing some work.
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For the musical form, see .


An invention is an object, process, or technique which displays an element of novelty. An invention may sometimes be based on earlier developments, collaborations or ideas, and the process of invention requires at least
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Archimedes' screw, Archimedean screw, or screwpump, is a machine historically used for transferring water from a low-lying body of water into irrigation ditches.
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