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Lesson 10 of 13
Lesson 10 of 13
New
New
How pulleys can help us
I can describe how pulleys can make difficult work easier.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- A pulley is a simple mechanism or machine, used in everyday life, which is useful for lifting things.
- A pulley often consists of a wheel with a groove, through which a string or rope runs.
- The object you are lifting is called the load, and the force you apply to make an object move is called the effort.
- Some pulleys make it easier because they change the direction of the force needed to lift an object.
- Some pulleys make it easier to lift an object because they decrease the effort or force needed.
Keywords
Pull - A pull is a force that brings an object closer.
Pulley - A pulley is a simple mechanism or machine which is useful for lifting things.
Load - The load is the object being lifted.
Effort - The effort is the force needed to do a job.
Force - A force is a push or a pull. Forces can make objects move, slow down, change direction or change shape.
Common misconception
All pulleys have the wheel attached to a ceiling.
Examples will be given of different types of simple pulleys.
Encourage children to notice how pulleys make everyday life easier and investigate the different ways in which they can make it easier to lift a load.
Teacher tip
Equipment
See additional resources.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.What do pull forces do?
What do pull forces do?
move objects further away
keep objects in the same position
Q2.Which of these activities involve a push force?
Which of these activities involve a push force?
brushing hair
Q3.Gravity is the force that attracts or objects to Earth.
Gravity is the force that attracts or objects to Earth.
Q4.A seesaw is an example of what type of simple machine or mechanism?
A seesaw is an example of what type of simple machine or mechanism?
Q5.When you use a lever, what do you call the force used to move an object.
When you use a lever, what do you call the force used to move an object.
the push
the pull
the load
Q6.What is the name given to the thing you lift using a lever?
What is the name given to the thing you lift using a lever?
Assessment exit quiz
Download quiz pdf
6 Questions
Q1.A is a simple mechanism or machine, involving a wheel and rope or chain, which is useful for lifting things.
A is a simple mechanism or machine, involving a wheel and rope or chain, which is useful for lifting things.
Q2.What is the word used to describe the force you apply when using a pulley to lift something?
What is the word used to describe the force you apply when using a pulley to lift something?
Q3.Which of these images shows a correctly labelled pulley?
Which of these images shows a correctly labelled pulley?
Q4.Which of these pieces of equipment can often use pulleys?
Which of these pieces of equipment can often use pulleys?
wheelbarrow
Q5.Which of these pulleys does not change the direction of the effort needed to lift the load?
Which of these pulleys does not change the direction of the effort needed to lift the load?
Q6.How does this pulley make it easier to lift the load?
How does this pulley make it easier to lift the load?
It changes the amount of effort needed to lift the load.