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Vocabulary
Read the vocabulary terms to understand the reading better.
Compound Pulley
A compound pulley is a pulley that is made up of two or more pulleys.
Fixed Pulley
A fixed pulley is a pulley that stays in one place.
Moveable Pulley
A moveable pulley is a pulley that changes position.
Pulley
A pulley is a simple machine that uses a wheel that has a groove in it.
Structure
A structure is made from different parts and joined together in a certain way to support a load.
What Is a Pulley?
Machines make our lives easier. They let us do tasks with much less effort. For example, think of an elevator. To use an elevator, just step in and push a button. Step off when you reach your floor. Now think of using the stairs. Climbing stairs takes much more effort, and takes more time, too.
Machines can save both time and effort. Not all machines are complicated. Some are very simple. A wheel is a simple machine. Wheels make it easier to move heavy loads. Small wheels on heavy furniture makes the furniture easier to move.
A pulley is a simple machine that uses a wheel that has a groove in it. A rope or cable fits into the groove. The wheel helps the rope move.
A pulley can be placed above a heavy object that you want to lift. You pull down on the rope to lift the object. It is easier to lift an object by pulling down than by pulling up. When you pull down, you can use the weight of your body to help you.
Fixed Pulley
A fixed pulley stays in one place. Your muscles apply force to move something. When you lift an object without using a machine, the direction of force is up. Using a fixed pulley changes the direction of the force. The direction of the force is down, but the object is lifted up. An example of a fixed pulley is a fishing rod.
Moveable Pulley
A movable pulley changes position. It is not attached to a structure. The movable pulley shown here moves up when the rope is pulled. It takes less force to lift an object with a movable pulley than with a fixed pulley. An example of a movable pulley is a modern elevator.
Compound Pulley
A compound pulley is made up of two or more pulleys. The diagram shows a compound pulley. A compound pulley is often used on a large sailboat using many different ropes and pulleys.
To learn more about pulleys, watch the video by SciShow Kids on YouTube.
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