Question

[30 POINTS] An automobile steering wheel is shown. The ideal mechanical advantage of this wheel and axle = _____ .

Answer 1

Rw/Ra = MA

18cm/2cm= MA

MA = 9

This means that Fi is 1/9 of the force applied to the axil. The distance travelled by Rw is 9 times more than Ri is that you move 9 times more when turning the wheel using Rw.

Put more simply

Rw/Ra = Fa/Fw

• Rw = Radius of the wheel
• Ra = Radius of the axil
• Fa = Force delivered on the axil
• Fw = Force delivered by the wheel