How to Make a Pulley Work

Pulleys are used everyday on construction sites and in shipyards.

Pulleys are simple machines that make it easier to lift or move heavy loads from one point to another. Simple pulleys consist of a a circular wheel with a groove. A rope or cable fits within the pulley-wheel's groove and is attached to a load. When you lift an object using a pulley you gain mechanical advantage and displace the load.

Things You'll Need

• Pulley
• Load
• Rope or cable

Instructions

1. Attach one end of the rope of your pulley to the object you are moving. Tie the rope firmly so that the object doesn't slip or fall.

2. Run the free length of rope up and over the wheels of your pulley system. Many pulleys feature a single wheel, but those used to relocate heavy objects may feature several.

3. Pull on the free end of the rope, moving it through the pulley's wheels. A pulley provides you with leverage, enabling the movement of objects too heavy to otherwise relocate

References

• Canada Science and Technology Museum; Background Information For Simple Machines; 2011
• Canada Science and Technology Museum: Make a Simple Pulley