Question

A student wants to lift a 350 N bucket of water up from the bottom of a well using a wheel and axle. The wheel has a

radius of 55 cm, and the axle has a radius of 15 cm. How much force will the student need to provide to the wheel to
turn it and lift the bucket?
28.8 N
4242 N
1283 N
95.5 N

Answer 1

Answer is D - 95.5 N.

Step-by-step explanation:

First calculate the ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of the system:

IMA = R/r

IMA = 55/15

IMA = 11/3

This is the factor by which the applied force is reduced. This is how you get a mechanical advantage - you exert less force to accomplish the same thing. In this case:

350 / (11/3) = 95.5 N