What are Simple Machines? What do we mean by Mechanical Advantage?
Simple Machines * creates a greater output force than the input force
Therefore since work is performed by applying a force over a distance, with the use of these machines we can do more work with lesser effort than working with our bare hands. In short, they make work easier.
Mechanical Advantage * The Ratio between the input force and the output force. * The measure of the force amplification achieved by using a tool, mechanical device or machine system.
Anyway what is input and output force? Input refers to the force you applied while output refers to the resultant force the object has from the input force.
Example: I pushed a ball with 10 N of force, it is rolling with 10 N of force. I input 10 N into it, now it is outputting 10 N.
The Six Classical Simple Machines
The Lever(French word that means “to raise”) * A simple machine that allows you to gain a mechanical advantage in moving an object or in applying a force to an object. It is considered a "pure" simple machine because friction is not a factor to overcome, as in other simple machines.
Part | Description | Fulcrum | Is where a solid board or rod can pivot on. | Effort | Force applied | Load | The one being moved | Effort arm | Distance from the effortforce to the fulcrum | Load arm | Distance from the loadto the fulcrum |
Uses Increase Force | FLFEEL | FE=effort forceE = length of the effort armFL=load forceL = length of the load arm | Increase Speed | sLsEEL | SE=speed of the effortSL=resulting speed of the load | Increase Distance moved | dLdEEL | DE = distance the effort force is movedDL= the distance the load force is moved |
The Classes of Lever according to where the load and effort are located with respect to the fulcrum. Class | Definition | Examples | 1Double | It has the fulcrum placed between the effort and load. The