Theme: Inside the Machine

Explore the moving parts and clever mechanisms that make machines work.

9 themed words All 26 letters covered Vowels shown in gold Consonants hidden in blue
1
  A     E
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  1. A word connected to inside the machine.
  2. Think of fluid control.
  3. It opens, closes, or regulates the passage of fluid through a pipe or machine.
  4. The answer starts with V and has 5 letters.
Reveal answer
V A L V E
Background information
Valves regulate the flow of liquids or gases; engine valves also control intake and exhaust.
2
  I     O  
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  1. A word connected to inside the machine.
  2. Think of engine motion.
  3. This sliding cylinder component moves back and forth to transfer force.
  4. The answer starts with P and has 6 letters.
Reveal answer
P I S T O N
Background information
Pistons convert pressure into reciprocating motion in engines and pumps.
3
  I     A  
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  1. A word connected to inside the machine.
  2. Think of cutting tool.
  3. A powered saw uses a narrow reciprocating blade to cut curves.
  4. The answer starts with J and has 6 letters.
Reveal answer
J I G S A W
Background information
A jigsaw can cut intricate shapes in wood, metal, or plastic with the appropriate blade.
4
  O       E
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  1. A word connected to inside the machine.
  2. Think of directed flow.
  3. A shaped outlet controls the direction or speed of a fluid jet.
  4. The answer starts with N and has 6 letters.
Reveal answer
N O Z Z L E
Background information
Nozzles are used in hoses, fuel injectors, rockets, and spray equipment.
5
      A   O
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  1. A word connected to inside the machine.
  2. Think of electricity generation.
  3. This machine converts mechanical rotation into electrical energy.
  4. The answer starts with D and has 6 letters.
Reveal answer
D Y N A M O
Background information
Historically, dynamos generated direct current using electromagnetic induction and a commutator.
6
  E A     O  
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  1. A word connected to inside the machine.
  2. Think of transmission.
  3. An enclosed arrangement of gears changes rotational speed or torque.
  4. The answer starts with G and has 7 letters.
Reveal answer
G E A R B O X
Background information
Gearboxes transfer power between shafts and adjust speed and torque in machines and vehicles.
7
          E E  
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  1. A word connected to inside the machine.
  2. Think of energy storage.
  3. A heavy rotating component smooths out fluctuations in a machine.
  4. The answer starts with F and has 8 letters.
Reveal answer
F L Y W H E E L
Background information
Flywheels store kinetic energy in rotation and help stabilize engine speed.
8
  E   U E     E  
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  1. A word connected to inside the machine.
  2. Think of ordered operations.
  3. A device or controller triggers actions in a programmed order.
  4. The answer starts with S and has 9 letters.
Reveal answer
S E Q U E N C E R
Background information
Sequencers coordinate steps in industrial machinery, electronics, and automated systems.
9
    A         A    
Show expanded hints
  1. A word connected to inside the machine.
  2. Think of engine linkage.
  3. A shaft with offset crankpins converts piston motion into rotation.
  4. The answer starts with C and has 10 letters.
Reveal answer
C R A N K S H A F T
Background information
Crankshafts transform reciprocating piston movement into rotary motion in many engines.

Inside the Machine: Did You Know?

Rotational energy
A flywheel stores energy in its spinning mass.
Engine conversion
A crankshaft changes the back-and-forth movement of pistons into rotation.
Flow control
Valves and nozzles both control fluids, but in different ways.
Early generators
Dynamos were important early machines for producing electric power.