Q 01/05

How many classical simple machines were defined by Renaissance scientists?

A) Four

B) Five

C) Six

D) Eight

Answer · why

C) Six

Lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge and screw all multiply force by trading it against distance.

Q 02/05

What is the fixed pivot point of a lever called?

A) Axle

B) Cam

C) Trunnion

D) Fulcrum

Answer · why

D) Fulcrum

Levers come in three classes depending on where fulcrum, load and effort sit.

Q 03/05

The word 'lever' ultimately comes from a Latin adjective meaning what?

A) Long

B) Strong

C) Light

D) Straight

Answer · why

C) Light

'Levis' also gave English the word 'light' as the opposite of heavy.

Q 04/05

The earliest evidence of pulleys comes from Mesopotamia and which civilisation's Twelfth Dynasty?

A) Egypt

B) China

C) Greece

D) Persia

Answer · why

A) Egypt

The Greek mathematician Archytas of Tarentum later described the device.

Q 05/05

A screw converts rotation into what kind of movement?

A) Oscillating

B) Orbital

C) Intermittent

D) Linear

Answer · why

D) Linear

The smaller the pitch between threads, the greater the mechanical advantage.