Simple Machines MAKE OUR LIVES EASIER and help us do work!!! Force- a push or a pull Work- applying a force to move something over a distance An inclined plane is a flat surface that is higher at one end. It works like a sliding board. It helps you move heavy loads up or down. A wheel and axle work together. The axle is like a post that the wheel spins on. They spin around to help things get from place to place. A wedge is something that splits something into two pieces. You can put a wedge under something to lift it or between two things to drive them apart. A pulley is a rope or string attached to a wheel. You can pull on one side to lift an object on the other side. A lever is like a seesaw. If you put something heavy on one end, you can lift it by pushing on the other side. The turning point of the lever is called the fulcrum. A screw holds two things together. A compound machine is made up of two or more simple machines.