Question

Which is the correct way to calculate the ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of a wheel and axle if the input force is applied to the wheel?

A) IMA = Radius of the axle / Radius of the wheel
B) IMA = Radius of the wheel / Radius of the axle
C) IMA = Force applied to the axle / Force applied to the wheel
D) IMA = Number of rotations of the axle / Number of rotations of the wheel

Answer 1

The ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of a wheel and axle with the input force on the wheel is calculated as the ratio of the wheel's radius to the axle's radius.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct way to calculate the ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of a wheel and axle, when the input force is applied to the wheel, is given by the formula IMA = Radius of the wheel / Radius of the axle. This is because the wheel and axle system is a type of lever where the wheel acts as the effort arm and the axle as the load arm, and the IMA is the ratio of these two radii.

The correct way to calculate the ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) of a wheel and axle if the input force is applied to the wheel is Option B) IMA = Radius of the wheel / Radius of the axle.

The IMA for a wheel and axle is determined by dividing the larger radius (radius of the wheel) by the smaller radius (radius of the axle). This ratio represents the force multiplication achieved by the machine. For example, if the radius of the wheel is 5 cm and the radius of the axle is 2 cm, the IMA would be 5/2 = 2.5.