| A | B |
|---|
| barometer | a device used to measure atmospheric pressure |
| block and tackle | a combination of fixed and moveable pulleys |
| buoyancy | the tendency of an object or substance to float in a fluid |
| buoyant force | the upward force exerted on an object or substance by a fluid |
| class 1 lever | a lever in which the fulcrum is between the effort and the load |
| class 2 lever | a lever in which the load is between the effort and the fulcrum |
| class 3 lever | a lever in which the effort is between the fulcrum and the load |
| compound pulley | a combination of two or more pulleys (fixed and movable) working together |
| compressible | capable of being squeezed into a smaller size or volume |
| compressors | mechanical devices used to compress gases |
| crankshaft | a shaft that turns or is turned by a crank. Pistons turn a car's crankshaft, which then turns the wheels. |
| driven gear (follower) | the gear moved by the driving gear |
| driving gear (driver) | the gear to which the effort force is applied |
| efficiency | the ratio of output work of a machine to input work usually expressed as a percentage. Note |
| effort arm | the part of a lever that extends from the fulcrum to the point at which the effort force is applied |
| effort force (FE) | the force applied to a device or system to move a mass; the force required to do work |
| energy | the ability to do work. Energy exists in several forms, such as chemical, kinetic, radiant, and thermal energy. |
| ergonomics | the science of designing machines, tools, and work areas to best suit the human body |
| exhaust valve | a movable part that releases spent (used, waste) gases |
| fixed pulley | a stationary pulley attached to a rigid support |
| force | a push or pull |
| force advantage (FA) | the advantage provided by a machine that makes the required effort force less than the load force. A machine that has a mechanical advantage greater than 1 provides a force advantage. |
| fulcrum | the pivot point that supports a lever |
| function | a job, an activity, or a role |
| gear | a wheel with cogs or teeth around its rim |
| gear train | two or more meshing gears used to transfer motion and force |
| hydraulic lift | a closed mechanical system that uses a liquid under pressure to multiply force |
| hydraulic system | a system in which a confined liquid is used to transmit movement or force |
| hydraulics | the study of pressure in liquids |
| hydrogen fuel cell | a cell in which hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the atmosphere combine to produce electricity |
| inclined plane | a sloped surface that reduces the effort force needed to raise an object to a new level (lower force over a greater distance) |
| input work | the work done on a machine to move a load |
| internal combustion engine | an engine that burns fuel within the engine rather than in an external furnace like a steam engine |
| joule (J) | a unit of work or energy equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting through a distance of one metre. One joule is equivalent to one< newton-metre. That is, 1 J = 1 Nïm. |
| kilopascal | a unit of pressure equal to 1000 Pa |
| kinetic energy | the energy an object or system has due to its motion |
| lever | a simple machine consisting of a rigid bar that pivots on a fulcrum |
| lift | the upward force created by a flow of air over and around a surface |
| linkage | a device that transfers energy from one object to another within a system (for example, a belt, chain, gear, lever, or rope) |
| load | the mass to be moved |
| load arm | the part of a lever that extends from the fulcrum to the point at which the load is applied |
| load force (FL) | the force applied to a device or system by the mass that is being moved |
| machine | a mechanical device that allows you to do mechanical work more easily or more conveniently |
| mass production | the large-scale manufacturing of standardized products |
| mechanical advantage (MA) | the ratio of the load force to the applied force in using a machine |
| movable pulley | a pulley suspended on a rope or cable that moves with the load |
| output work | the work done by a machine on a load |
| pascal (Pa) | a unit of pressure equal to the pressure of 1 N of force applied over an area of 1 m2. One pascal is equivalent to one newton per square metre. That is, 1 Pa = 1 N/m2. |
| Pascal's law | a law that states pressure applied to one part of a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions throughout the fluid |
| piston | a movable disc that fits snugly inside a cylinder |
| pneumatic system | a system in which a gas, such as air, transmits a force exerted on the gas in an enclosed space |
| pneumatics | the study of pressure in gases |
| potential energy | stored energy; the energy an object or system has due to its position or condition; includes gravitational and chemical potential energy |
| pressure | force per unit area. The pascal is a unit of pressure. |
| pulley | a simple machine made of a wheel with a grooved rim that guides a rope. A pulley is used to decrease effort force or change the direction of the force. |
| pump | a device that applies a force to move fluid within a system |
| screw | an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder or cone |
| simple machine | a basic tool or device that transfers energy to do useful work. The six simple machines include the lever, inclined plane, screw, pulley, wheel and axle, and the wedge. |
| speed | the rate of motion expressed as distance travelled per unit time (for example, m/s, km/h) |
| speed advantage (SA) | the advantage provided by a machine that makes the load move faster than the effort force. The mechanical advantage is less than 1 for a machine providing a speed advantage. |
| speed ratio | the relationship between the speed of the effort force and the speed of the load force. The speed ratio for gears is the ratio of the speed of rotation of the driven gear to the speed of rotation of the driving gear. |
| sprocket | a gear that drives a chain or is driven by a chain |
| structure | anything made of parts arranged together |
| subsystem | a system (made from two or more components) that contributes to the operation of a larger system |
| system | a combination of several components or subsystems that work together to perform a specific function |
| valve | a device that controls the movement (speed, direction, and/or volume) of a fluid within a system |
| wedge | a single or double-sided ramp that is forced into or under an object (its most common use is cutting) |
| weight | the force of gravity exerted on a mass |
| wheel and axle | a type of simple machine made up of two turning objects attached at their centres |
| work (W) | a transfer of energy from one object or system to another when a force is applied over a distance. The amount of work is equal to the product of the force and the distance. |
