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Quizzes > Science > Physics

Six Simple Machines Quiz: Can You Identify Them All?

Ready to Identify Six Simple Machines? Start the Quiz!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art showing levers pulleys inclined planes wheels axles screws wedges on dark blue background for simple machines quiz

This simple machines quiz helps you identify levers, pulleys, wheels and axles, screws, wedges, and inclined planes in everyday tools and scenes. Work through quick questions to practice for class and spot any gaps before a test. Start now and see how many you get right.

Which of the following lists all six simple machines?
Lever, Pulley, Wheel and Axle, Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
Lever, Pulley, Gear, Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
Lever, Pulley, Wheel and Axle, Ramp, Wedge
Lever, Pulley, Cam, Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
The six classic simple machines are lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge, and screw. These fundamental machines form the basis for all complex machines by changing the magnitude or direction of forces. Understanding each is key to physics and engineering principles. Learn more at .
A seesaw in a playground operates as an example of which simple machine?
Lever
Inclined Plane
Pulley
Wheel and Axle
A seesaw is a type of first-class lever where the fulcrum is in the center, and the effort and load are applied on opposite ends. Levers amplify force around a pivot, enabling easier lifting or balancing of loads. Recognizing playground equipment helps illustrate lever mechanics in everyday life. More details at .
What type of simple machine is a ramp?
Inclined Plane
Lever
Screw
Wedge
A ramp is an inclined plane, which allows heavy objects to be raised with less force by extending the distance over which the force is applied. It trades increased distance for reduced input force, illustrating mechanical advantage. Inclined planes are common in driveways, slides, and loading docks. See for more information.
A doorstop that prevents a door from closing uses which simple machine?
Pulley
Lever
Screw
Wedge
A doorstop is an example of a wedge, which converts a force applied to its blunt end into forces perpendicular to its inclined surfaces, holding the door in place. Wedges are two inclined planes back-to-back. They are often used to split, cut, or hold objects. More details available at .
Turning a screwdriver to drive a screw exemplifies which simple machine?
Screw
Wheel and Axle
Inclined Plane
Wedge
A screw is a simple machine made by wrapping an inclined plane around a central cylinder. Turning a screwdriver applies rotational force, driving the threaded incline deeper into material and converting rotational motion into linear motion. This generates significant mechanical advantage to hold objects together. For more, visit .
Which simple machine does a doorknob primarily function as?
Pulley
Wheel and Axle
Inclined Plane
Lever
A doorknob is a wheel and axle, where a small rotational force applied to the knob (wheel) is amplified to turn the shaft (axle) and retract the latch. This configuration reduces the effort needed to open a door. Wheel and axle simple machines are ubiquitous in tools and devices for torque amplification. More details at .
Which simple machine is used to change the direction of an applied force?
Screw
Lever
Pulley
Wedge
A pulley consists of a wheel with a groove for a rope, allowing the input force to be redirected, often lifting loads more conveniently. By changing the rope's direction, pulleys make it easier to lift objects vertically using a horizontal force. Pulleys can also be combined into systems to increase mechanical advantage. Learn more at .
What is the ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of an inclined plane that is 8 meters long and 2 meters high?
4
2
0.25
16
Ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of an inclined plane equals the ratio of its length to its height (IMA = length/height). For an 8 m long ramp with a 2 m rise, IMA = 8 ÷ 2 = 4. The IMA assumes no frictional losses and indicates force multiplication. See for details.
A wheelbarrow is an example of which class of lever?
Second-class lever
Compound lever
Third-class lever
First-class lever
In a second-class lever, the load is between the fulcrum and the effort. A wheelbarrow places the load in the bucket between the wheel (fulcrum) at the front and the handles (effort) at the back. This arrangement allows a smaller effort to lift heavier loads. For more, see .
In a block and tackle pulley system with two pulleys in the fixed block and two in the movable block, how many rope segments support the movable block, and what is its ideal mechanical advantage?
1 rope segment, IMA = 1
3 rope segments, IMA = 3
4 rope segments, IMA = 4
2 rope segments, IMA = 2
A block and tackle with two pulleys in each block yields four rope segments supporting the movable block. Ideal mechanical advantage equals the number of supporting rope segments (IMA = 4). This setup allows the input force to be divided across four ropes. More detail at .
If a screw has a handle radius of 2 cm and a pitch of 0.5 cm per turn, what is its ideal mechanical advantage (IMA)?
Approximately 50
Approximately 25
Approximately 4
Approximately 12.5
IMA of a screw is the circumference of the handle divided by the pitch (distance advanced per turn). Circumference = 2?r ?12.57 cm, divided by 0.5 cm pitch gives about 25.14, which rounds to approximately 25. This assumes no frictional losses. See .
Which statement best describes a wedge as a simple machine?
Two inclined planes joined back-to-back
A wheel rotating around an axle
A rotating inclined plane
A single flat surface used to raise objects
A wedge is essentially two inclined planes placed back-to-back, converting force applied on its blunt end into forces perpendicular to its inclined surfaces. This configuration is used for splitting or cutting materials. Examples include axes and chisels. More details at .
A lever has an effort arm of 5 meters and a load arm of 1 meter. What is its ideal mechanical advantage?
1
6
5
4
IMA of a lever equals the length of the effort arm divided by the length of the load arm. With a 5?m effort arm and 1?m load arm, IMA = 5/1 = 5. This ratio indicates how much the lever amplifies the input force. Read more at .
A manual can opener often uses both a wheel and axle and a wedge. What type of machine is this classified as?
Simple machine
Lever
Complex pulley
Compound machine
A compound machine combines two or more simple machines to perform work more efficiently. A manual can opener uses a wheel and axle to rotate the cutting wheel and a wedge to puncture the can's lid. This combination exemplifies compound machine design. Learn more at .
Which two simple machines primarily work together in a bicycle's pedal and wheel system to propel the bike?
Lever and wheel and axle
Wedge and screw
Pulley and lever
Inclined plane and pulley
A bicycle pedal acts as a lever, and the pedaling force is transferred through the crankset, which functions as a wheel and axle. This combination amplifies the rider's input force to turn the wheels and propel the bike forward. Bicycles also incorporate gears (modified wheel and axle) for speed control. See .
An inclined plane has an ideal mechanical advantage of 5, but due to friction its efficiency is 80%. What is its actual mechanical advantage (AMA)?
6.25
0.8
5
4
Actual mechanical advantage (AMA) equals IMA × efficiency (in decimal form). With IMA = 5 and efficiency 0.8, AMA = 5 × 0.8 = 4. Friction reduces the effective force multiplication below the ideal value. More info at .
Which statement correctly distinguishes a fixed pulley from a movable pulley?
A movable pulley increases force and direction, while a fixed pulley reduces force
A fixed pulley reduces force but changes direction, a movable pulley only changes direction
Both fixed and movable pulleys only change force direction
A fixed pulley changes the force's direction but not magnitude, while a movable pulley reduces required input force
A fixed pulley is anchored in place and solely alters the direction of the input force, offering no mechanical advantage (MA = 1). A movable pulley, attached to the load, moves with it and divides the input force, effectively reducing the force needed (MA > 1). Combining them in a block and tackle optimizes both direction and force reduction. See .
In an ideal simple machine without energy losses, which of the following is always true?
Mechanical advantage is less than 1
Work input equals work output
Distance input equals distance output
Force input equals force output
In the absence of friction or other losses, an ideal machine conserves energy so that work input (force × distance in) equals work output (force × distance out). While force and distance individually may change, their product remains constant. This principle underlies all simple machine analyses. More at .
The blade inside a pencil sharpener acts primarily as which simple machine?
Wedge
Pulley
Lever
Screw
The sharpener blade is a form of wedge - two inclined planes meeting to form a sharp edge that cuts the pencil wood and graphite. As the pencil rotates, the wedge slices material away. Blades in many tools operate on wedge principles. More info at .
If friction in a pulley system increases, what happens to its actual mechanical advantage compared to the ideal mechanical advantage?
Actual MA becomes greater than ideal MA
Actual MA becomes less than ideal MA
Actual MA equals ideal MA
Actual MA becomes zero
Friction opposes motion and reduces the output force relative to the input, so the actual mechanical advantage (AMA) is always less than the ideal mechanical advantage (IMA). The difference between IMA and AMA quantifies frictional losses. This is why real machines never reach ideal efficiency. Detailed discussion at .
A 50 N object is moved 10 meters along a frictionless incline at 30° above horizontal. How much work is done against gravity?
750 J
250 J
125 J
500 J
Work against gravity equals weight times vertical displacement: W = Fg × h. Vertical height = 10 m × sin(30°) = 5 m, so W = 50 N × 5 m = 250 J. On a frictionless incline, this equals the input work. Read more at .
A screw jack has a handle length of 20 cm and a thread pitch of 0.1 cm. Assuming no friction, what force must be applied to lift a 200 N load?
Approximately 20 N
Approximately 0.16 N
Approximately 1.6 N
Approximately 3.14 N
IMA = circumference/pitch = (2?r)/pitch = (2?×20 cm)/0.1 cm ?1256.64. Input force = load/IMA = 200 N / 1256.64 ?0.159 N, which rounds to approximately 0.16 N. This ideal calculation excludes friction. More at .
If a simple machine has a mechanical advantage of 4, what trade-off occurs compared to applying force directly?
The output force is four times greater, but the distance moved by the load is one-quarter of the input distance
The output force is reduced but distance increases fourfold
The output force and distance both increase fourfold
The input and output work both increase fourfold
Mechanical advantage >1 means the machine multiplies input force but reduces the distance the load moves. With MA = 4, output force is four times input force, but the load moves only one-quarter of the distance the input moves. The work done remains equal (ignoring losses). Learn more at .
A block and tackle pulley system has an ideal mechanical advantage of 6 but operates at 75% efficiency. What approximate input force is required to lift a 120 N load?
Approximately 30 N
Approximately 16 N
Approximately 20 N
Approximately 26.7 N
Actual MA = IMA × efficiency = 6 × 0.75 = 4.5. Input force = load ÷ AMA = 120 N ÷ 4.5 ? 26.7 N. Efficiency losses reduce the effective mechanical advantage. More details at .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify the Six Simple Machines -

    Recognize and name levers, pulleys, wedges, screws, inclined planes, and wheel-and-axle systems when tackling the simple machines quiz.

  2. Differentiate Types of Simple Machines -

    Distinguish each machine's unique function and mechanical advantage within the types of simple machines quiz format.

  3. Analyze Simple Machines Questions -

    Break down quiz prompts to determine effort, load, and fulcrum relationships, sharpening your problem-solving skills.

  4. Apply Knowledge to Real-World Examples -

    Spot and explain simple machines in everyday tools and devices, reinforcing learning through practical observation.

  5. Evaluate Your Quiz Performance -

    Assess your results to identify strengths and areas for improvement, boosting confidence when you identify simple machines in future challenges.

  6. Create a Simple Machines Challenge -

    Use your quiz insights to design a new simple machines quiz or challenge friends, extending engagement and collaborative learning.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mechanical Advantage Fundamentals -

    Mechanical advantage (MA) shows how simple machines multiply force, calculated by MA = Fout/Fin (output force over input force). In a simple machines quiz, identifying this ratio helps you predict performance across all six machines. Remember: higher MA means less effort needed - just like getting extra credit for effort!

  2. Lever Classes & Mnemonic -

    Levers come in three classes based on the fulcrum, load, and effort positions - use the "FRE" mnemonic (Fulcrum-Resistance-Effort) to recall them in your simple machines questions. Class I levers (see-saws) have the fulcrum between load and effort, Class II (wheelbarrows) place the load in the middle, and Class III (tweezers) put the effort mid-way. Recognizing these patterns makes the simple machines challenge feel like child's play!

  3. Pulleys: Fixed vs. Movable -

    Pulley systems can be fixed, movable, or combined to boost MA up to the number of rope sections supporting the load. For example, a single fixed pulley changes direction, while a block and tackle with four ropes provides MA ≈ 4. Spotting these in everyday winches or flagpoles is perfect practice to identify simple machines in action.

  4. Inclined Planes, Wedges & Screws -

    Inclined planes reduce effort by increasing distance - MA equals length divided by height - while wedges (two back-to-back planes) and screws (an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder) apply the same principle. A wedge's taper-to-thickness ratio and a screw's threads-per-inch (pitch) determine their force amplification. Grouping these in your types of simple machines quiz helps you master how forces translate across contexts.

  5. Wheel & Axle Dynamics -

    The wheel and axle amplifies force by the ratio of wheel radius to axle radius (MA = Rwheel/Raxle), making it easier to turn heavy loads like car jacks or doorknobs. Spot this mechanism in everything from rolling office chairs to old-fashioned water wheels. Identifying wheel and axle combos boosts your confidence when tackling simple machines quiz questions on rotational advantage.

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