Physics JAMB

Simple Machines

Bayani Gaba-gaba

Welcome to the course material on 'Simple Machines' in Physics. In this module, we delve into the fundamental concepts of machines that play a vital role in making our daily tasks easier by altering the magnitude or direction of the force applied. Let's begin by understanding the essence of simple machines.

Simple machines are basic mechanical devices that aid in performing work with the application of a single force. These machines form the building blocks for more complex mechanisms and are pivotal in various engineering applications. They operate on principles that involve the transmission or modification of forces to achieve desired outcomes.

There are various types of machines categorized based on their functions and structural designs. These include levers, pulleys, inclined planes, wedges, screws, and wheels and axles. Each type of simple machine serves a specific purpose and offers mechanical advantages that enable efficient work performance.

One key aspect of machines is the concept of mechanical advantage, which refers to the ratio of the output force to the input force. Mechanical advantage allows us to amplify the force applied through the use of machines, making tasks more manageable. Additionally, velocity ratio is another critical factor that determines the speed at which a machine operates relative to the input and output distances.

Efficiency in machines is a crucial metric that evaluates the effectiveness of a machine in converting input energy into useful work output. It is defined as the ratio of the output work to the input work and is usually expressed as a percentage. Understanding the efficiency of machines helps in optimizing their performance and minimizing energy wastage.

By the end of this course material, you will be able to identify different types of simple machines and solve problems involving simple machines. Through practical examples and problem-solving exercises, you will gain a deeper insight into the mechanics of these fundamental devices and their significance in various applications.

Manufura

  1. Solve Problems Involving Simple Machines
  2. Identify Different Types Of Simple Machines

Takardar Darasi

Ba a nan.

Nazarin Darasi

Barka da kammala darasi akan Simple Machines. Yanzu da kuka bincika mahimman raayoyi da raayoyi, lokaci yayi da zaku gwada ilimin ku. Wannan sashe yana ba da ayyuka iri-iri Tambayoyin da aka tsara don ƙarfafa fahimtar ku da kuma taimaka muku auna fahimtar ku game da kayan.

Za ka gamu da haɗe-haɗen nau'ikan tambayoyi, ciki har da tambayoyin zaɓi da yawa, tambayoyin gajeren amsa, da tambayoyin rubutu. Kowace tambaya an ƙirƙira ta da kyau don auna fannoni daban-daban na iliminka da ƙwarewar tunani mai zurfi.

Yi wannan ɓangaren na kimantawa a matsayin wata dama don ƙarfafa fahimtarka kan batun kuma don gano duk wani yanki da kake buƙatar ƙarin karatu. Kada ka yanke ƙauna da duk wani ƙalubale da ka fuskanta; maimakon haka, ka kallesu a matsayin damar haɓaka da ingantawa.

  1. Define a simple machine. A. A machine that has complex moving parts B. A machine that involves electrical components C. A machine that makes work easier by changing the direction or magnitude of a force D. A machine that operates on its own Answer: C. A machine that makes work easier by changing the direction or magnitude of a force
  2. What are the types of simple machines? A. Lever, Wheel and Axle, Pulley, Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw B. Waterwheel, Windmill, Gear system, Electrical motor C. Microscope, Telescope, Telephone, Microprocessor D. Bicycle, Car, Train, Airplane Answer: A. Lever, Wheel and Axle, Pulley, Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
  3. What is the relationship between mechanical advantage, effort, and load? A. Mechanical advantage = Load / Effort B. Mechanical advantage = Effort / Load C. Mechanical advantage = Load * Effort D. Mechanical advantage = Load - Effort Answer: A. Mechanical advantage = Load / Effort
  4. What does velocity ratio tell us about a machine? A. How fast the machine can operate B. The comparison of the distance the effort moves and the distance the load moves C. The weight of the load applied by the machine D. The rate of efficiency of the machine Answer: B. The comparison of the distance the effort moves and the distance the load moves
  5. What is the efficiency of a machine? A. The speed of operation of the machine B. The comparison of work input to work output of the machine C. The amount of load the machine can lift D. The durability of the machine Answer: B. The comparison of work input to work output of the machine

Tambayoyin Sake Nazari

Kana ka na mamaki yadda tambayoyin baya na wannan batu suke? Ga wasu tambayoyi da suka shafi Simple Machines daga shekarun baya.

Tambaya 1 Rahoto

You are provided with a retort stand, boss head, clamp, stopwatch, slotted weights, hanger, grooved pulley, thread, measuring tape, and other necessary materials.

i. Measure and record the radius \(R\) of the pulley.

ii. Setup the apparatus as illustrated in the diagram above, such that the clamp is 1.5 m above the floor.

iii. Tie one end of the thread to the pulley.

iv. Tie the other end of the thread to the hanger.

v. Slot a mass \(m = 50\ \text{g}\) on the hanger.

vi. Wind the thread around the groove of the pulley until the base of the hanger is at a height \(h = 1.4\ \text{m}\) above the floor. Maintain this height \(h\) for every other value of \(m\) through out the experiment.

vii. Release the mass to unwind the thread.

viii. Determine and record the time \(t\) taken by the mass \(m\) to reach the floor.

ix. Evaluate \(t^{2}\)

x. Also evaluate
a = \(\frac{2h}{t^{2}}\), T = \(\frac{m}{1000}(10 - a)\) and \(\propto = \frac{a}{R}\)

xi. Repeat the procedure for four other values of \(m = 70\ \text{g}, 90\ \text{g}, 110\ \text{g}\) and \(130\ \text{g}\)

xii. Tabulate your readings.

xiii. Plot a graph with \(\propto\) on the vertical axis and T on the horizontal axis.

xiv. Determine the slope s, of the graph.

xv. Evaluate \(I = \frac{R}{s}\).

xvi. State two precautions taken to obtain accurate results.

(b)i. Define centripetal force

ii. An object drops to the ground from a height of 2.0 m. Calculate the speed with which it strikes the ground. [g=10 ms\(^{-2}\)]

Bayanin Amsa

(a) Determination of the moment of inertia of a pulley

A mass \(m\) on the hanger unwinds the thread from the pulley (radius \(R\)) and falls through a fixed height \(h = 1.4\ \text{m}\). The apparatus is set up as shown below, with the clamp \(1.5\ \text{m}\) above the floor.

figure
Apparatus: falling mass unwinding a thread from a grooved pulley clamped 1.5 m above the floor; the hanger base starts at h = 1.4 m.

For each value of \(m\) the time of fall \(t\) is recorded twice and averaged, and the derived quantities are computed from

\[ a = \frac{2h}{t^{2}} = \frac{2(1.4)}{t^{2}} = \frac{2.8}{t^{2}},\qquad T = \frac{m}{1000}\,(10 - a),\qquad \alpha = \frac{a}{R},\quad R = 0.08\ \text{m}. \]

xii. Table of readings

S/N \(m\)/g \(t_1\)/s \(t_2\)/s \(t=\dfrac{t_1+t_2}{2}\)/s \(t^{2}\)/s\(^2\) \(a=\dfrac{2.8}{t^{2}}\)/m s\(^{-2}\) \(T=\dfrac{m}{1000}(10-a)\)/N \(\alpha=\dfrac{a}{R}\)/rad s\(^{-2}\)
1 50.0 5.00 5.00 5.00 25.000 0.110 0.490 1.380
2 70.0 4.80 4.80 4.80 23.040 0.120 0.690 1.500
3 90.0 4.60 4.60 4.60 21.160 0.130 0.890 1.630
4 110.0 4.40 4.40 4.40 19.360 0.140 1.080 1.750
5 130.0 4.20 4.20 4.20 17.640 0.150 1.280 1.880

where \(h = 1.4\ \text{m} = 140\ \text{cm}\) and \(R = 0.08\ \text{m} = 8\ \text{cm}\).

Worked check of row 1 (\(m = 50.0\) g, \(t = 5.00\) s):

\[ t^{2} = 5.00^{2} = 25.000\ \text{s}^2,\qquad a = \frac{2.8}{25.000} = 0.110\ \text{m s}^{-2}, \] \[ T = \frac{50}{1000}(10 - 0.110) = 0.050 \times 9.890 = 0.490\ \text{N},\qquad \alpha = \frac{0.110}{0.08} = 1.380\ \text{rad s}^{-2}. \]

xiii. Graph of \(\alpha\) against \(T\)

Plotting \(\alpha\) (vertical axis) against \(T\) (horizontal axis) gives a straight line:

graph
Straight-line graph of α (vertical) against T (horizontal); slope s = R/I = 0.635 rad s⁻² N⁻¹.

xiv. Slope of the graph

Taking two well-separated points on the line of best fit, \((T_1,\alpha_1) = (0.50,\ 1.383)\) and \((T_2,\alpha_2) = (1.30,\ 1.891)\):

\[ s = \frac{\alpha_2 - \alpha_1}{T_2 - T_1} = \frac{1.891 - 1.383}{1.30 - 0.50} = \frac{0.508}{0.800} = 0.635\ \text{rad s}^{-2}\,\text{N}^{-1}. \]

xv. Moment of inertia

Since the driving torque \(TR = I\alpha\), we have \(\alpha = \dfrac{R}{I}\,T\), so the slope \(s = \dfrac{R}{I}\) and

\[ I = \frac{R}{s} = \frac{0.08}{0.635} = 0.126\ \text{kg m}^{2}. \]

xvi. Two precautions

  • I avoided parallax error by reading the metre rule and the height marks with the line of sight perpendicular to the scale.
  • I ensured the boss head and clamp were firmly tightened so the pulley did not slip or wobble during the fall.

(b)(i) Centripetal force

Centripetal force is the resultant inward force, directed towards the centre of the circular path, that keeps a body moving with constant speed in a circle. Its magnitude is

\[ F = \frac{m v^{2}}{r}. \]

(b)(ii) Speed of a body dropped from a height

An object drops to the ground from a height \(h = 2.0\ \text{m}\). Taking \(g = 10\ \text{m s}^{-2}\) and equating potential energy to kinetic energy:

\[ \tfrac{1}{2} m v^{2} = m g h \;\Rightarrow\; v^{2} = 2 g h = 2 \times 10 \times 2.0 = 40\ \text{m}^2\text{s}^{-2}, \] \[ v = \sqrt{40} = 6.32\ \text{m s}^{-1}. \]

The object strikes the ground with a speed of \(6.32\ \text{m s}^{-1}\).


Tambaya 1 Rahoto

An effort P applied at one end of a crowbar just overcomes the resistance W at the lid of a tin. The mechanical advantage of the crowbar is expressed as

Tambaya 1 Rahoto

The velocity ratio of an inclined plane at 60º to the horizontal is 
Bayanin Amsa

The concept of an inclined plane is all about simplifying the forces involved in moving or holding a load. The **velocity ratio (VR)** for an inclined plane is defined as the ratio of the distance moved by the effort to the distance moved by the load. This can also be expressed in terms of the lengths involved in the triangle made by the inclined plane.


For an inclined plane placed at an angle **θ** to the horizontal, the velocity ratio is given by the formula:


VR = 1/sin(θ)


Given that the inclined plane is at an angle of **60º**:


First, find the sine of 60º:


sin(60º) = √3/2 (approximately 0.866)


Now, substitute this value into the formula for VR:


VR = 1/sin(60º) ≈ 1/0.866 ≈ 1.155


The **velocity ratio** for an inclined plane at **60º** to the horizontal is **approximately 1.155**.