A blower or fan is described as a combination of which simple machines?

A blower or fan is described as a combination of which simple machines?

• A. Wheel and axle
• B. Inclined plane and screw
• C. Pulley and wheel and axle
• D. Lever and wedge

Answer: (B)

A blower moves air by using blades that are pitched at an angle, which is the signature of an inclined plane, combined with the blade geometry that acts like a screw to push air forward as it rotates. The inclined plane aspect comes from the blade pitch that redirects air as the rotor turns, creating thrust along the axis. The screw aspect comes from the helical path of air around the axis, which produces a continuous, axial flow much like how a screw converts rotational motion into linear movement. Together, these features explain why a blower or fan is described as a combination of an inclined plane and a screw.

A blower moves air by using blades that are pitched at an angle, which is the signature of an inclined plane, combined with the blade geometry that acts like a screw to push air forward as it rotates. The inclined plane aspect comes from the blade pitch that redirects air as the rotor turns, creating thrust along the axis. The screw aspect comes from the helical path of air around the axis, which produces a continuous, axial flow much like how a screw converts rotational motion into linear movement. Together, these features explain why a blower or fan is described as a combination of an inclined plane and a screw.