School & Chat

The mechanical advantage is the number of times a machine multiplies your effort force.

To find the MA of a machine, you can divide the resistance force by the effort force. Most of the time the resistance force is the weight of the object in Newtons.



Mechanical Advantage of the Levers

To find the MA of a lever, divide the effort arm length by the resistance arm length.
MA = effort arm length / resistance arm length



QUESTIONS

1. What is the length of the resistance arm?

2. What is the length of the effort arm?

3. What is MA of the see saw above?

4. What is the resistance force in the diagram?

5. How much effort force would be needed to overcome the resistance force?

6. Is this a first, second, or third class lever?

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Mechanical Advantage of a Pulley System

The MA of a pulley is equal to the number of supporting ropes.

Find the MA of each

1.

2.

3.

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Mechanical Advantage of an Inclined Plane

To find the MA of an inclined plane, divide its length by its height.



QUESTIONS

1. What is the height of the inclined plane?

2. What is the length of the inclined plane?

3. What is the mechanical advantage of the inclined plane?

4. How much effort force would be needed to push the dump truck up the mountain?