Final answer:
Simple machines such as screws, wedges, and wheels make work easier by providing mechanical advantage—reducing the input force required or changing force direction to achieve greater output with less effort.
Step-by-step explanation:
Simple machines make work easier by either reducing the input force needed or changing the direction of the applied force, which provides a mechanical advantage.
- A screw is a simple machine that converts rotational force to linear motion, allowing for the lifting of objects or holding them together with less force over a greater distance.
- A wedge consists of two inclined planes back-to-back, which allows it to concentrate force to split or separate objects, such as with knives or axe heads.
- The wheel and axle system allows for force to be applied over a larger distance with the circumference of the wheel, reducing the effort needed to move objects, as seen in the use of a wheelbarrow.
Considering mechanical advantage (MA), these simple machines allow for a greater output force than the input force. For instance, when force is applied to the rim of a wheel, a larger force is exerted on the rope or object attached to the axle with less input force.
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