Class 10 icse Ch3- Machines

Introduction
This is an age of machines. Machines have become a part and parcel of our daily life.
A machine is generally employed to do a work, which cannot be conveniently done
without it. We use a machine to overcome a large resistance at work, by applying a
comparatively smaller force, or to gain speed, or to change the direction and the point
of application of the force. Let us consider following examples:

Examples
1. It is difficult to tighten firmly a nut on a bolt with our bare hand. However, if we
have an appropriate spanner or pliers for tightening the nut, it becomes very easy.
In such a situation, spanner or pliers is a machine.
2. It is almost impossible to obtain water from a handpump by pulling up its piston
rod. However, if we attach a handle to the piston rod, it becomes very easy to
move it up or down. In such a situation, the handle is a machine.
3. It is difficult to pull out a bucket full of water from a well by pulling up the rope.
However, if the rope is passed over a pulley and pulled in the downward direction,
it becomes very easy. In this situation the pulley is a machine.
4. It is difficult to pull up and move a heavy stone, stuck in the ground. However, if
we use a crow bar, it becomes easy. In such a situation crow bar is a machine.
From the above examples we can define machine as follows:
Machine is a device by which we can overcome a large resistance, or gain
speed, by applying comparatively a smaller force at a convenient point, and in
a desired direction.
Any device that can help us in any of the following four ways is called a machine:
a. If it works as a force multiplier: When smaller amount of effort is required to
overcome a load, it is called force multiplier. For example, a jack is used to lift
the car or a crow bar is used to displace a heavy stone.
b. If it allows applying the force at convenient point: For ex-ample, to rotate the
rear wheel of bicycle we apply force on the pedal.
c. If it allows applying the force in convenient direction: For example, a fixed
pulley in the well allows us to pull the bucket of water easily.
d. If it obtains the gain in speed: For example, to increase the speed gear system
used in automobiles. In this chapter we will consider the working of levers,
pulleys and inclined planes as machines. But before that we have to consider the
following basic definitions.
Kinds of simple machines: Simple machines can be broadly divided into two kinds:
(a) Lever – 1. pulley 2. wheel and axle
(b) Inclined plane. 1. wedge 2. screw

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• The modifications of a lever are pulley and wheel and axle, whereas the
modifications of an inclined plane are wedge and screw.
• All complicated machines are made from the above mentioned simple machines.
Functions of a Machine
(a) A machine can multiply force, such as pulley systems, levers, etc.
(b) A machine can increase speed, such as in lever, wheel and axle, etc.
(c) A machine can change the direction of effort applied, such as in a single pulley
and lever.
Mechanical Advantage
Mechanical advantage of a machine is defined as the ratio of load to effort. The
purpose of a machine is to overcome a resistive force with relative ease. This resistive
force is called load (L). The force applied on the machine to overcome the load is
called effort (E). For example as shown in the figure the water bucket in the well is
a load and the pull force applied by hands on the rope is effort.
𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝐿
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒 = 𝑀. 𝐴. = =
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝐸
Clearly the mechanical advantage of a good machine should be greater than one.
However, in some cases where effort has to be applied at convenient point,
mechanical advantage is less than one. Mechanical advantage has no unit as both
load and effort are forces acting at different points.

General terms used in the study of Machines :A machine does not work by itself.
It works only when some energy is supplied to it. The energy supplied is converted
into useful work.
• Input: Work done on the machine (or energy applied to the machine), is called
input. When an effort is put on the machine the work done by effort is called work
input. If an effort E causes a displacement D in its own direction, then
Input = Effort × Displacement = E × D.
• Output: The useful work obtained on output of machine is called work output
and is defined as the product of load and the distance moved by load. The output
can be classified under two headings:
1. Actual output: The total work done by the machine is called actual output.
If 'L' is the total load (useful load lifted by the machine + resistance overcome)
displaced through a distance 'd', then
Actual output = L × d.
2. Useful output: The useful work done by the machine is called useful output.
If l is the useful load displaced through a distance d. Then,
Useful output = l × d.
Example: If a machine is able to lift a load of 40 N, such that resistance due to
friction and movable parts of the machine is 10 N, then the
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total load lifted is (40 + 10) N = 50 N.
If the displacement is caused through 1 m, then
Actual output = 50 N × 1 m = 50 J Useful output = 40 N × 1 m = 40 J
Note: In some numerical problems or general description only the term "output" is
used. It means "useful output" and not "actual output."