Simple Machines

A push moves things away from you. A pull brings things closer. Can you push a toy car across the table?

Things with wheels roll easily. That is why wagons have wheels!

A ball rolls down a ramp because gravity pulls it. Gravity pulls everything down!

A ramp makes it easier to move heavy things up to a high place.

Wheels help things move more easily. Bikes, cars, and skateboards all have wheels.

Magnets stick to some things but not others. Try a magnet on your fridge!

When you kick a ball, you push it with your foot and it moves forward.

When you roll a ball on carpet, it stops faster than on a smooth floor. That is friction!

Gravity keeps your feet on the ground. Without gravity, you would float!

A slide is a ramp. You slide down because gravity pulls you!

A magnet has two ends called poles. Both ends pull on iron things — but hold two magnets together and they can push each other away!

When you stop pedaling a bike, it slowly stops because of friction.

Rubber balls bounce because they are stretchy and springy.

Heavy things are harder to push than light things. Try pushing a book and a feather!

Spinning a top keeps it standing up. When it stops spinning, it falls over!

A seesaw goes up and down. Push down on one side and the other side goes up!

You can build a tower with blocks, but if you push it, it falls because of gravity!

You can use a lever to lift heavy things. A seesaw is a type of lever!

Blowing air makes a pinwheel spin. Wind is a pushing force!

When you pull a wagon, you use force to make it move toward you.

You can make a paper airplane fly by throwing it. You give it a push!

When you drop something, it falls down. That is gravity at work!

A door opens when you push or pull the handle. Which does your door use?

Things slow down and stop because the ground rubs against them. That is friction!

A windmill turns when the wind pushes its blades. Wind is a force!

A swing goes back and forth. You pump your legs to make it go higher!

A magnet can move a paper clip without touching it! That is magnetic force.

A ball thrown in the air comes back down because gravity pulls it.

Boats float on water. They are shaped so they do not sink!

Toys with wheels are easier to move across the floor than toys without wheels.