When you push or pull with a simple machine, you are applying a force and doing work. And, if you get more force out of a machine than you put into it, then that machine has a mechanical advantage.

Simple machines make work easier, not less work, says Rick Crosslin, scientist. He joined us today to demonstrate how simple machines work. In our case, Randy was the “load” and Amber was the “effort.

When I was a kid, I sat glued to the television watching behind the scenes shows on the workings of industrial plants. I couldn’t get enough of watching a series of machines work in tandem to convert ...

Introduction to Mechanical Systems provides a foundational overview of mechanical systems. Simple machines, such as the lever, incline planed, and wheel, are the building blocks of even the most ...

Explains how pulleys work to lift heavy weights more easily. A fixed pulley changes the direction of force, allowing for easier lifting, while a movable pulley reduces the amount of force needed to ...