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How does a screw act like a wedge wrapped around a cylinder?
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simple machine
Six simple machines for transforming energy into work.
In the context of simple machines, a screw is mechanically understood as a wedge wrapped around a cylinder.
While a wedge is a simple machine that tapers to a thin edge to split, lift, or tighten objects by converting force in one direction into a sideways force, the screw applies this principle through its helical rib. By wrapping the inclined plane—the fundamental component of both wedges and screws—around a cylinder, the screw allows for the conversion of rotational motion (torque) into linear motion (thrust). This configuration enables a small force applied over a distance to produce a much larger force, which is why screws are highly effective for fastening components or lifting heavy loads when used as power screws.123