Simple Machine Project: The Fixed Pulley

An interactive guide to building and understanding your first pulley.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Let's get everything we need. Click each item to check it off your list as you find it.

Step 2: Build Your Pulley

This is where the magic happens. Click the "Next Step" button to assemble your pulley piece by piece and see the instructions for each stage.

Support Structure

Load

Let's Get Started!

Your support structure is in place. Click below to add the first piece.

Step 3: The Experiment

Does a fixed pulley make work easier? Let's analyze the forces at play. Use the buttons below to compare lifting the load directly versus using your new machine.

How to Interpret This

The chart above shows the amount of force (effort) you need to apply and the direction of your pull. Start by looking at the 'Manual Lift' to see the baseline effort.

Want a REAL Advantage?

Your fixed pulley is great for changing force direction. To actually reduce the effort needed, you'd need one of these systems:

Movable Pulley

The pulley wheel moves up with the load. This cuts the force you need to lift the load in half!

Compound Pulley System

Combining fixed and movable pulleys gives you an even greater mechanical advantage, making it possible to lift very heavy objects.