Research Rack: Glossary

energy – ability to do work

force – push or pull that gives energy to an object, causing it to start moving, stop moving, or change its motion

friction – force that opposes the motion of an object

fulcrum – fixed point at which a lever pivots

gear - a toothed wheel that developed from the wheel and lever

inclined plane – slanted surface used to raise an object

inertia – tendency of objects to remain in motion or stay at rest unless acted upon by an unbalanced force

kinetic energy – energy that a moving object has due to its motion; energy of motion

lever – a bar that is free to pivot, or move about, a fixed point when an effort force is applied

load - something taken up and carried

load distance – the distance the load is moved

potential energy – energy stored in an object due to its position

pulley - a small wheel with a grooved rim used with a rope or chain to change the direction of a pulling force and in combination to increase the force applied for lifting

simple machine - any of various elementary devices considered as the elements of which all machines are composed and including the lever, the wheel and axle, the pulley, the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw

weight – response of mass to the pull of gravity

wheel and axle - a simple machine consisting of a grooved wheel turned by a cord or chain with a firmly attached axle (as for winding up a weight) together with supports

work – product of a force applied to an object and the distance through which the force is applied; force times distance