Question

A force of 75 N is applied to a nutcracker to crack open a walnut. If the mechanical advantage of the nutcracker is 3.5, what is the force the nutcracker applies to the walnut?

OPTION 1: 21.43 N
OPTION 2: 262.5 N
OPTION 3: 262.5 N
OPTION 4: 75 N

Answer 1

The force that the nutcracker applies to the walnut is found by multiplying the input force by the mechanical advantage, resulting in 262.5 N. Therefore, Option 2: 262.5 N is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question revolves around calculating the force that a nutcracker applies to a walnut, given the force exerted on the nutcracker and its mechanical advantage. The mechanical advantage of a tool is defined as the ratio of the output force to the input force. In this scenario, the force exerted on the nutcracker is 75 N and the mechanical advantage is 3.5. To find the output force (the force the nutcracker applies to the walnut), we multiply the input force by the mechanical advantage:

Output force = Input force × Mechanical advantage

Output force = 75 N × 3.5 = 262.5 N

Therefore, the force the nutcracker applies to the walnut is 262.5 N. Among the given options, the correct answer is Option 2: 262.5 N.