Final answer:
Machines augment force to make tasks easier, they transform energy to do work, and complex machines combine multiple simple machines to perform sequential operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
A machine does many important things as part of its operation. Here are three important points to consider about what a machine does:
- Machines multiply or augment force, which allows us to perform tasks that would otherwise require a much greater effort. This is often done at the expense of the distance over which the force is applied, and is an expression of the concept of mechanical advantage (MA).
- Machines transform energy from one form to another to accomplish work. The efficiency of a machine is determined by comparing the output work to the input work, reflecting how effectively the machine uses the energy put into it.
- Machines can also have complex functions, where multiple simple machines are combined into a complex machine to perform a sequence of tasks or operations, much like parts of an assembly line each performing a specific job.