Question

Victoria has a crate of vegetables that weighs 100 newtons. She exerts a force of 100 newtons to lift the crate with a pulley. What’s the mechanical advantage in this situation?

A. less than 1
B. equal to 1
C. equal to 0
D. more than 1

Answer 1

Mechanical advantage in this situation is equal to 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mechanical advantage of a simple machine gives a relationship between the input force applied to the output force. Mathematically, it is given by :

`MA=(F_o)/(F_i)`

Where

`F_o\ and\ F_i` are output force and input force

In this case, the weight of the crate of vegetables is 100 N

Force exerted by her to lift the crate with a pulley is 100 N

The mechanical advantage in this situation is given by :

`MA=(100)/(100)=1`

So, the mechanical advantage in this situation is equal to 1. Hence, the correct option is (b) "equal to 1".

Answer 2

Simply put, MA = Force Out / Force in. That's the way it is usually stated. The force out is normally what you need to move. The force in is what you need to supply to get the force out. Most machines will give you an MA of more than 1. Some (like your arm) will give you less than 1 and others (like this one) will give you exactly one.

This one is frictionless, otherwise it would slip into less than one if it had friction.

Answer B