Natural Science 3rd Grade CEIP Daniel Martin: MACHINES

MACHINES

What is a machine?

A machine is an instrument that makes work easier. Machines can be complex or simple. Simple machines are often called tools.

Types of machines

Simple machines often have only 1 or 2 parts.

Complex machines have more parts or can even be a combination of different machines.

What do machines need to work?

Machines need energy to work. Some machines use human or animal energy. Some machines use electrical energy. Many machines use fuel, like petrol and diesel.

More and more we use energy from the sun, wind and water. The sources of energy don‘t run out. Also they produce very little contamination.

Whic machines did people have at different times in history?

People in the Stone Age used tools. As time went by, people‘s lives became more complex. The tools and machines they used became more complex too.

The Stone Age:

In the Stone Age people made tools for hunting and painting. They used stones and animal bones.

Medieval times:

During Medieval times people used the Wheel. They also used tools like the spade and the rake to make farming easier. But it was still very hard Work! They only had animal and human energy!

The Age of Discovery:

People wanted to travel far away. They invented tools and machines to make new types of sailing ships. At this time they also invented the printing press. Many people read books for the first time.

Our times:

Now…

· We still have tools, but we also have factories with complex machines that makes objects very fast.

· We still have ships, but we also have new forms of transport like planes. We can travel fasta ll over the world.

· We still have books, but we also have films and computers. We use computers and the internet to find out information and to contact people all over the world.

Who uses machines?

People used machines in their daily lives. They help us to do the housework, to move from one place to place, to communicate and to enjoy our free time.

Washing machines, vacuum cleaners and irons help us to do the housework.

Cars, buses, motorbikes, trains and planes help us to move from place to place. We even have rockets to travel to space.

Telephones, the radio, the tv,computers and the internet help us to communicate. Internet is a network of lots of different computers. It allows us to receive and send lots of information almost instantly. It is a communications revolution.

Bycicles, scooters, video games and machines at the fun fair, the cinema and the park help us to enjoy our free time.

People work in different jobs and professions. They use simple and complex machines to make their work easier.

Which machines are very dangerous?

Some machines, like vehicles and road drills, are very dangerous and difficult to use. People who use these machines need to know what the dangers are, to take special precautions and to follow safety rules.