WHEEL & AXLE
What is a wheel & axle?
A wheel & axle is a special kind of lever, where the center of the wheel is the fulcrum. The two parts, wheel and axle, work together to turn or move a load when effort is applied. The wheel is the circular path the effort travels. The axle is the rod that goes through the center of the wheel.
How are wheel & axles used?
Wheel & axles are used to help us turn and move things easily. They can also help us change the size of movements. Changing the size of movements is very important, because it allows us to travel long distances without using too much effort. This can be seen in transportation, where wheels help vehicles travel long distances without requiring too much effort from the drivers.
Where are wheel & axles found?
There are a lot of real world examples of wheel & axles, as many objects turn and move in our everyday surroundings. They can be found both inside buildings and out on the roads. A doorknob, which can be found inside buildings, is one example of a wheel & axle. Turning a doorknob helps us move a door latch easily, so that we can open and close doors. A bus, which can be found out on the roads, is another example of a wheel & axle. Bus wheels move in circles and allows the bus to move forward or backward.