Vocabulary Review

fulcrum: pivot point of a lever
load: item being moved by a simple machine
effort force: force that goes into a simple machine to make it work
lever: simple machine made of a beam that pivots on a fulcrum
wheels: round object attached to an axle or object that rolls to reduce friction
wheel and axle: simple machine used to transfer spinning motion
rollers: wheel that is in a fixed position
pulley: axle with a wheel that has a groove in it
gear: toothed wheel
force advantage: advantage when a simple machine is used to change a small force into a large force
speed advantage: advantage when a simple machine is used to change a small motion (slow) into a large motion (fast)
conveyor belt: belt that runs over rollers or pulleys to provide a surface that moves
gear system: group of gears working together to perform a task
pulley system: axle with a wheel that has a groove in it, working with a belt or rope or other pulleys to perform a task
gear train: gears that are meshed together
first class lever: lever with the fulcrum in the middle
second class lever: lever with the load in the middle
third class lever: lever with the effort force in the middle
trebuchet: speed advantage lever that includes a sling, especially made to throw an object a great distance
catapult: speed advantage lever especially made to throw an object a great distance
lever arms: parts of the lever between the fulcrum and the load or effort force
complex lever: lever system that includes at least two simple levers
simple lever: lever that has only a single beam
chain: a device made of links that mesh with gears, used to transfer motion from one gear to another
inclined plane: flat surface that lies at an angle to the ground to help move a load to a higher place
ramp: another name for an inclined plane
driving gear: gear in a gear train that provides the effort force
driven gear: gear in a gear train that does not provide the effort force
rack and pinion: round gear and flat gear that work to turn spinning motion into straight-line motion
worm gear: gear system designed to reduce spinning speed, provide a force advantage, and transfer spinning motion at a 90-degree angle
bevel gear: gear system designed to reduce spinning speed, provide a force advantage, and transfer spinning motion at a 90-degree angle

force: push or pull applied to an object
energy: ability to do work
control systems: device that controls how other systems work
design process: series of steps taken to be sure a person is building a device in the best way possible
direct applied force: a direct push or pull applied to an object
elastic force: push or pull applied by the energy stored in an object or device that can stretch or squish
wind force: push or pull applied by the movement of wind
water force: push or pull applied by the movement of water
gravity force: downward-pulling force from the Earth
motor force: push, pull, or spinning force applied by a motor
braking systems: control system built to slow and stop a vehicle
steering systems: light cannot pass through
brainstorm: control system that allows a vehicle to change direction
distraction: anything that can cause loss of focus and attention
energy of motion: energy an object has when it is moving
stored energy: energy that can be released from a storage device
linkage: connection of moving parts in a machine, usually from the energy source to parts that move