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ASVAB · Simple Machines (Levers, Pulleys, Gears)

A screw is essentially which simple machine wrapped around a cylinder?

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Correct answer

An inclined plane

  1. A An inclined plane
  2. B A pulley
  3. C A wheel and axle
  4. D A lever

Why this is the answer

A SCREW is essentially an INCLINED PLANE wrapped around a cylinder. ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension tests simple machines. The threads of a screw form a spiral inclined plane; turning the screw converts rotational motion into linear motion and provides mechanical advantage (a screw with closer threads requires more turns but less force). The six simple machines: lever, inclined plane, wheel and axle, pulley, wedge, and screw. A WEDGE is two inclined planes back-to-back. Recognizing the screw as a wrapped inclined plane is commonly tested.
Source: ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension — Screw

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About this topic: Simple Machines (Levers, Pulleys, Gears)

Simple machines — levers, pulleys, gears, inclined planes, wheel-and-axle, screws — are the heart of Mechanical Comprehension. Each question comes down to mechanical advantage: how much the machine multiplies force, and the trade-off in distance. This is one of 23 Mechanical Comprehension questions on simple machines (levers, pulleys, gears), each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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