⚙️ Simple Machines: Trading Force for Distance

About this simulation

A simple machine never creates energy — it only trades force for distance so that the total work (force × distance) put in equals the work that comes out, minus small losses to friction. This rig lets you build and test three classic simple machines — a first-class lever, a block-and- tackle pulley system, and an inclined plane — and watch that trade-off happen live.

How it works

• Lever — mechanical advantage equals the ratio of the effort arm to the load arm around the fulcrum. Move the fulcrum toward the load and less force is needed, but the effort end must travel farther.
• Pulley — each supporting rope strand sharing the load's weight divides the effort force by that many strands, while the free end must be pulled that many times farther.
• Inclined plane — a shallower ramp needs less force to push a load to the same height, but the load travels a longer distance along the slope.
• In every case, Work = Force × Distance stays constant — the "output" panel confirms input work equals output work.

Controls

• Lever / Pulley / Ramp tabs — switch which simple machine is shown.
• Fulcrum position / Pulley count / Ramp angle — changes the machine's mechanical advantage.
• Load weight — sets how heavy the object being lifted or moved is.
• ▶ Apply force — animates the machine lifting or moving the load. Drag to rotate, scroll to zoom.

Did you know?

Archimedes is said to have claimed "Give me a lever long enough and a place to stand, and I will move the Earth" — a lever with an enormous mechanical advantage could indeed move a huge mass, but the effort end would have to travel an astronomically long distance to do it.