A mechanism that trades the magnitude or direction of an applied force against the displacement through which it acts. An ideal simple machine conserves work; it does not multiply energy.
A body turning about a fulcrum. In static balance, effort and load supply equal and opposite torques: , where the distances are perpendicular lever arms. Its ideal mechanical advantage is . Measuring distances along the body instead of perpendicular to the force lines can give the wrong answer.
The ratio of the useful load force to the applied effort force. For an ideal simple machine in slow motion, the ratio of effort displacement to load displacement gives the same number by conservation of work.
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A simple machine is a mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force. Simple machines are fundamental tools that help us perform work more efficiently. There are six classical types of simple machines: 1. **Lever**: A rigid bar that pivots around a point called the fulcrum. It can be used to amplify force or change the direction of an applied force. 2. **Inclined Plane**: A flat surface that is tilted at an angle to the horizontal.