The supports for rotating mechanical parts such as axles and wheels. They should have as little friction as possible so the axles or wheels can turn easily.

A brace is a support used to steady, strengthen or stiffen a structure. Many buildings, bridges and other constructions have bracing structures.

Architectural structures, usually made of stone or brick, built against walls to add strength or support.

A device that converts a circular motion into a linear motion. It is usually fixed on a shaft or axle. As the shaft turns, the cam pushes against an object (a cam follower) to make it move back and forth in a straight line. For example: the up and down motion of the ‘stamper’ in a stamping battery the up and down motion in the seesaw, or the side t [..]

A lever or other machine part which moves back and forth in contact with a cam rotating on a shaft or axle.

A pushing force that flattens or shortens the thing upon which it is acting.

The reverse of evaporation – that is, when a gas or vapour becomes a liquid, usually by cooling.

Areas of relatively high ground separating basins through which streams and rivers flow.

The force or energy applied to a machine to get it to work.

Potential energy stored as a result of the compression or stretching of an elastic object, such as the stretching of a spring. This stored up energy can be released and turned into kinetic energy.