Which description matches the wheel and axle?

Which description matches the wheel and axle?

• A. A wheel with a rod through its center lifts or moves loads
• B. A wedge used to split materials
• C. An inclined plane used to lift
• D. A rope through a pulley

Answer: (A)

The wheel and axle is a simple machine where a wheel is rigidly attached to a central rod (the axle) so they rotate together. This setup lets you apply force to the wheel and move a load more easily because the wheel’s larger radius covers more distance per rotation, while the axle provides a smaller, opposing radius for the load—creating mechanical advantage. The description that matches this is a wheel with a rod through its center that lifts or moves loads. It describes the exact arrangement: a wheel and its central axis turning as one piece to raise or shift weight. The other descriptions don’t fit the wheel-and-axle concept: a wedge is for splitting materials, an inclined plane is a ramp that reduces effort by increasing distance, and a pulley uses a rope over a wheel to change the direction of the force.

The wheel and axle is a simple machine where a wheel is rigidly attached to a central rod (the axle) so they rotate together. This setup lets you apply force to the wheel and move a load more easily because the wheel’s larger radius covers more distance per rotation, while the axle provides a smaller, opposing radius for the load—creating mechanical advantage.

The description that matches this is a wheel with a rod through its center that lifts or moves loads. It describes the exact arrangement: a wheel and its central axis turning as one piece to raise or shift weight.

The other descriptions don’t fit the wheel-and-axle concept: a wedge is for splitting materials, an inclined plane is a ramp that reduces effort by increasing distance, and a pulley uses a rope over a wheel to change the direction of the force.