The online pulleys simulations on this page will allow you to better understand how a pulley works and how pulley systems allow you to lift large weights by applying small forces.
A pulley is a mechanical device consisting of a wheel with a groove on its edge, used to change the direction and/or magnitude of force applied to a rope or cable wrapped around it. Pulleys are commonly used in pulley and cable systems to lift heavy objects or to apply forces in different directions.
There are several types of pulleys, including fixed, movable and compound pulleys. Fixed pulleys have a wheel that rotates on a fixed shaft, while movable pulleys have a wheel that can move along an axis. Composite pulleys combine a fixed and a movable pulley to create an additional mechanical advantage.
Pulleys are important in physics because they can change the direction of force applied to an object and, therefore, can be used to lift heavy objects with less force. In addition, pulleys can increase the distance over which force is applied, which can also increase the resultant force.
Pulleys are also used in engineering and construction, especially in large construction projects where heavy objects need to be lifted and moved. Cranes, for example, use pulleys to lift heavy loads effectively and safely. Pulleys are also used in heavy machinery, such as excavators and cranes, to facilitate the handling of heavy objects.
In summary, the online pulley simulations on this page will help you, in an interactive and simple way, to understand the operation of individual pulleys and pulley systems.
Explore the exciting STEM world with our free, online simulations and accompanying companion courses! With them you'll be able to experience and learn hands-on. Take this opportunity to immerse yourself in virtual experiences while advancing your education - awaken your scientific curiosity and discover all that the STEM world has to offer!
- Equilibrium
- Motion
- Multiple
Pulley in equilibrium
In this simulation, two different masses are connected by a rope passing through a pulley. What force must be applied to the smaller mass to keep both masses still?
Pulleys in motion
In this simulation, we can see what happens when a system consisting of two different masses connected by a rope passing through a pulley is released. Can you identify and name each of the forces involved in the system?
Physics courses
![free AP® physics 2 exam prep course free AP® physics 2 exam prep course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/c5891efd-c0ab-40d1-8877-4cde9c1d254e-f58f4de708fb.small.png)
![DNE DNE](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DNE.webp)
AP® Physics 2: Challenging Concepts
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free AP® physics 1 essentials course free AP® physics 1 essentials course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/73d9af3d-6f6d-4aeb-ba96-bc8dac9a9a00-20e10c23a15a.small.jpg)
![RICE RICE](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RICE-1.webp)
AP® Physics 1
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free AP® physics exam preparation course free AP® physics exam preparation course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/33bd63e4-61be-48b6-b334-1d5a57461088-70fda4d387d0.small.jpg)
![RICE RICE](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RICE-1.webp)
AP® Physics 1 – Part 4: Exam Prep
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free linear motion course free linear motion course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/03181d1f-1f0d-4af5-a215-c500fc658bde-4404e8b0bb4e.small.jpg)
![RICE RICE](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RICE-1.webp)
AP® Physics 1 – Part 1: Linear Motion
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free advanced classical mechanics course free advanced classical mechanics course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/fa4cfb8d-8a92-4094-b49e-700f6470d03a-68903c939be9.small.jpg)
![RICE RICE](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RICE-1.webp)
Mechanics, Part 2
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free classical mechanics course free classical mechanics course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/39f6f114-1a95-4418-8b0a-dcea9b36158a-891d07de3925.small.jpg)
![RICE RICE](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RICE-1.webp)
Mechanics, Part 1
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free systems engineering course free systems engineering course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/4cb0e97b-ad0c-4928-b1f7-498280e0f8b7-ffc40e553055.small.jpg)
![UPV Universitat Politècnica de València](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/UPV.webp)
Dynamics and Control
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
Other courses
![free industrial biotech essentials course free industrial biotech essentials course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/021963c9-0ad7-40e0-b853-c95a23a03cd6-c87141196bb0.small.jpg)
![TUD TUD](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TUD-1.webp)
Industrial Biotechnology
![free linear motion course free linear motion course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/03181d1f-1f0d-4af5-a215-c500fc658bde-4404e8b0bb4e.small.jpg)
![RICE RICE](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RICE-1.webp)
AP® Physics 1 – Part 1: Linear Motion
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free advanced quantum mechanics course free advanced quantum mechanics course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/81a74e3c-73e8-47bd-8f40-2127f7da7c70-84250e85dd38.small.jpeg)
![STA Stanford University](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/STA.webp)
Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 2
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free thermodynamics study course free thermodynamics study course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/b4943c80-33c7-4f11-b6f8-4de028dd7251-721496b86026.small.jpeg)
![HAR Harvard University](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HAR.webp)
Energy and Thermodynamics
![free exoplanets course free exoplanets course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/317d3511-8666-4e32-aa11-feeee69dc969-df21e98cc968.small.jpg)
![ANU Australiano National University](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ANU.webp)
Astrophysics: Exploring Exoplanets
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free viscous fluid mechanics course free viscous fluid mechanics course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/e3236081-409a-40e8-b352-0a3921687d34-9821a4ed76bb.small.jpeg)
![MIT MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/MIT.webp)
Advanced Fluid Mechanics 2: The Navier-Stokes Equations for Viscous Flows
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free biorefinery course free biorefinery course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/517c325f-4291-4397-bc3e-9e5ce027f4fc-7ec407ca8553.small.jpg)
![WAG WAG](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/WAG.webp)
Biorefinery: From Biomass to Building Blocks of Biobased Products
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)
![free basic biochemistry course free basic biochemistry course](https://prod-discovery.edx-cdn.org/media/course/image/896f6184-731a-4dae-9e53-ef7a83e5606d-acc305e9f8d4.small.jpg)
![HAR Harvard University](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HAR.webp)
Principles of Biochemistry
![](http://stemonline.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EdX_logo.png)