Simple Machines Concept

Demonstrations in Simple Machines

Differential chain hoist with two large transparent sheaves on a wooden crossbar (upper block), ball chain connecting to a smaller transparent lower block with a mass attached, mounted on a bench clamp stand

Chainhoist

Demonstrates mechanical advantage in a differential pulley (Weston hoist). Two locked sheaves of slightly different radii produce a large force multiplication, illustrating how simple machines trade distance for force.
Instructor seated in a wooden-framed chair, suspended several feet above the lecture hall stage by a block-and-tackle system, pulling on the rope; projection screen behind shows a pulley diagram
Safety

Pulley Hoist

Sit in a chair and lift yourself using a threefold-purchase tackle (MA = 6). The pulling force is one-sixth your weight, but you must pull seven times as much rope …
Two bench clamp stands with pulleys on a horizontal rod; a blue yo-yo hangs on the left and a white counterweight on mass hanger hangs on the right, connected by string over the pulleys

Yo-Yo and Counterweight

Demonstrates how mechanical constraints produce counterintuitive motion. As the yo-yo unwinds and falls, its decreasing effective radius releases string, causing the balanced counterweight to descend rather than rise -- challenging …
Anatomical arm model with painted muscles mounted upright on a black base at the edge of a lecture bench, with a cord running up to a large circular spring scale (0-20 N) mounted above. The forearm is bent at roughly 90 degrees and holds a blue ball.

Arm Model

A mechanical arm model demonstrates the human arm as a lever system. Students measure the muscle force required to hold a load and see how it depends on arm angle …
Sectioned piano action model on wooden base with color-coded levers (white, green, red), felted hammer, damper system on dark backboard, and long key lever being pressed by a hand

Piano Action Model

Demonstrates complex lever actions using a sectioned piano key mechanism. A single key press activates six interconnected levers of all three classes, illustrating torque, mechanical advantage, and energy transfer through …