Mechanical Advantage, Work, and Simple Machines Review

Front

What are simple machines?

Back

Simple machines are devices that change the direction or magnitude of a force. Examples include levers, pulleys, inclined planes, screws, wedges, and wheels and axles.

Front

List the six types of simple machines.

Back

1. Lever 2. Pulley 3. Inclined Plane 4. Screw 5. Wedge 6. Wheel and Axle

Front

What is mechanical advantage?

Back

Mechanical advantage is the ratio of the output force produced by a machine to the input force applied to it. It measures how much a machine multiplies force.

Front

How do you calculate mechanical advantage for an inclined plane?

Back

Mechanical advantage (MA) = Length of the incline / Height of the incline.

Front

What is the formula for work?

Back

Work = Force x Distance (W = F x d) where work is measured in Joules.

Front

What is the unit of work?

Back

The unit of work is the Joule (J).

Front

If a force of 10 N moves an object 5 meters, how much work is done?

Back

Work = 10 N x 5 m = 50 J.

Front

What is the ideal mechanical advantage of a lever?

Back

Ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of a lever = Length of effort arm / Length of resistance arm.

Front

What is the mechanical advantage of a ramp that is 2 meters tall and 8 meters long?

Back

Mechanical advantage = 8 m / 2 m = 4.

Front

What is a lever?

Back

A lever is a simple machine that consists of a rigid bar that pivots around a fixed point called the fulcrum.