Question

machines help us to do work by:

• changing the effort required to move a load, e.g., a wheelbarrow
• changing the speed of output, e.g., the gears on a bicycle
• changing the direction of output, e.g., an eggbeater.

2.1 simple vs. compound machines
2.1.1 what makes something a compound machine instead of a simple machine?

Explanation:

A simple machine is a basic mechanical device with few or no moving parts (e.g., lever, pulley, inclined plane). A compound machine is made by combining two or more simple machines. For example, a bicycle uses wheels (simple, wheel - axle), gears (simple, gear system), and levers (brakes, handlebars), so it combines multiple simple machines. The key is that a compound machine has multiple simple machines working together, while a simple machine is a single basic device.

Answer:

A compound machine is made by combining two or more simple machines (e.g., a bicycle combines wheels, gears, and levers, which are simple machines), while a simple machine is a single basic mechanical device with few/no moving parts (e.g., lever, pulley).