Mechanical Advantage

You mean I dont have to use the shovel?!

 Main Concept 5:
Think: Why
Last do we
time we use machines
discussed the to do
What we really
different
want to do is get the
work insteadsimple
of doingmachines:
it ourselves?
machine to work efficiently. Efficient
basically means to work really well.

Wheel
& Axle
 Mechanical Advantage
Ways of making WORK easier to
accomplish (less effort):

OR

Main Concept 6:
Both
Using will
Mechanical
Think: In getWork
a the the same
machine allows
Advantage
& work
is
Power for
all
Lab,done,
more
about
were
Think:
getting
but
power the
which
the steps
Does
machine
with one
less
with
more
to make
takes
effort
more less
power
the
from
power job as
effort
you!
easier
alwaystoeasy
forThis
you to mean
for
do? you
accomplish as
(Less less
the
or effort?
possible!
work?
More
is why we use machines. Effort?)
The Big Point: We want machines to do
as The equation
much work for
as possible M.A.
with as little
effort from us as we can!

Output Force
= MA
Input Force
Think
The aboutthe
higher this: Computers Advantage,
Mechanical continue to
get easier
the easier it isand easier something.
to move to use.
Think about this: How have cell phones
We want to make the MA number bigger!!!
Basic M.A.= 1
become easier to use
Means more compared tomachine,
Output from the original
phones or
lesseven earlyfrom
Input force cellyou!
phones!
= less effort!!!
 Mechanical Advantage
We want to make this number
What the machine does
bigger = easier to do

Force
Output Force 5N
8
=4
1
Input Force 5
2N

Force
Notice that when there is more
Output than Input force, the
What you do MA number increases!

Main Concept 7:
The Higher the Mechanical Advantage,
the Easier it is to accomplish the work.
 Class Inquiry Activities
Mechanical
Advantage
of Levers Lab

Mechanical
Advantage
of Inclined Planes
(Ramps) Lab
 Output Force
M. A. of Levers
Think: If the Input and Output are exactly
the same is there any point to using a machine? Input Force
Dont forget: Work of Input = Work of Output

In this case, with the fulcrum right in the center, the forces,
distance and total input/output work are exactly the same!

Think: when force and

Force

distance are exactly the

Force
same; is there any M.A?

Distance Distance

Work = Input Force x Input Distance Work = Output Force x Output Distance
 So how can we increase
M.A. of a lever?
We have to adjust how we set up the machine itself!
Notice that mathematically, even though the amounts of distance and force
have changed the total work done on both sides Notice what
remains the happens to
same!
In this case we can move the fulcrum and change the force and distance of
Output:the distance
Less of the
distance butoutput and input:
more force! Input: More distance but
each side less we
when force!
move
Fulcrum closer to the mass
Force

Force
Distance Distance

Work = Output Force x Output Distance Work = Input Force x Input Distance
 Class 1 Levers:
Input/Effort Notice that the effort
Output/Result Arm arms are different
Arm lengths.
Longer Input/effort
arms give the
scissors more
mechanical
advantage.

**In other words, it

makes it easier to
cut stuff!
Output/Result
Arm Input/Effort
Arm
 If we were to
Class 2 Lever: increase the length
of the input arms on
the wheelbarrow, we
would give it more
mechanical
advantage.
Mass to be lifted
In other words, it
makes it easier to lift
stuff.
Class 3
Levers:
 Output Force
M.A. of an Incline Plane: Input Force

The same amount of work was accomplished with less force on your part!

The ramp is now

Work that needs to

be accomplished
longer and less steep

To give this simple machine more mechanical

advantage, simply make the ramp longer

Notice: Did the height of the ramp change?