How to Learn the Six Simple Machines
Every complex machine is built from six simple ones — the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw. Each makes work easier by trading force for distance. This deck pairs each machine with how it works and an everyday example.
There are 10 cards in the deck below. You can read through them, practise them right here with the flip-card player, and then save the deck to study properly with spaced repetition — the method that makes them stick for months, not minutes.
Why the six simple machines is hard to memorize (and the fix)
A few overlap (a wedge is two inclined planes; a screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a rod), which blurs them. Anchoring each to a familiar object keeps them separate.
The fix is active recall plus spaced repetition. Instead of re-reading the list (which feels productive but barely works), you test yourself — pull each answer out of memory — and you review each card on a schedule that stretches over time. Every time you successfully recall a fact, the memory gets stronger and the next review is pushed further out. That's how you go from "I saw it once" to "I just know it."
The fastest way to learn the six simple machines
- Break it into small batches. Learn the six with one everyday example each — seesaw, doorknob, flagpole, ramp, axe, jar lid.
- Test, don't re-read. Look at the question, say the answer out loud before flipping the card. The little struggle to recall is what builds the memory — a smooth re-read does almost nothing.
- Review on a schedule. Spaced repetition shows you each card right before you'd forget it. Get one right and it comes back in a few days, then a week, then a month. Miss one and it comes back sooner.
- Keep sessions short and daily. Five to ten minutes a day beats a two-hour cram every time. Consistency is the whole game.
One fact per card. A simple machine does not reduce total work — it trades a smaller force over a longer distance.
The full deck: the Six Simple Machines
Here's every card in the set. Practise them above, or save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews automatically.
| Machine | What it is / example |
|---|---|
| What is a lever? | A bar that pivots on a fulcrum (seesaw, crowbar) |
| What is a wheel and axle? | A wheel fixed to a rod that turns together (doorknob, steering wheel) |
| What is a pulley? | A wheel with a rope to lift loads (flagpole, crane) |
| What is an inclined plane? | A sloped surface / ramp that makes lifting easier |
| What is a wedge? | Two inclined planes back to back that splits or cuts (axe, knife) |
| What is a screw? | An inclined plane wrapped around a rod (jar lid, bolt) |
| How many simple machines are there? | Six |
| A seesaw is an example of which simple machine? | A lever |
| An axe is an example of which simple machine? | A wedge |
| Do simple machines reduce the total work needed? | No — they trade a smaller force for a longer distance |
Save this deck and actually remember it
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Study this deck free →FAQ: learning the six simple machines
How long does it take to learn the six simple machines?
Most people can lock in the six simple machines within one to three weeks of short daily sessions. With spaced repetition doing 10–10 cards a day, you'll recognise them within days and recall them reliably within a couple of weeks.
What's the best way to memorize the six simple machines?
Active recall plus spaced repetition. Test yourself instead of re-reading, and review on a schedule that spaces the cards out over time. Flashcards are built for exactly this — which is why the deck above is the fastest path.
Is this deck free?
Yes. You can practise all 10 cards on this page for free with no account. Sign up (also free) to save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews so it sticks long-term.