Final answer:
The mechanical advantage of a wheelbarrow, acting as a lever, increases the efficiency in lifting heavy loads by reducing the force needed.
The longer input arm (handles) to output arm (load) ratio allows for easier movement of the weight.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mechanical advantage of a wheelbarrow makes moving a heavy load easier because it acts as a lever. The pivot point of the lever is the wheel's axle, and the effort is where the hands are placed on the handles.
By using a longer input arm (the handles) relative to the output arm (the distance from the wheel to the center of gravity of the load), the wheelbarrow increases the mechanical advantage by reducing the force needed to lift the load.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that it increases mechanical advantage, making it easier to move heavy loads.
In a scenario where a wheelbarrow has a perpendicular lever arm of 5.50 cm for the load and a perpendicular lever arm of 1.02 m for the hands, we find the mechanical advantage by dividing the length of the input lever arm (1.02 m) by the length of the output lever arm (5.50 cm).
The greater the mechanical advantage, the less force you need to support the wheelbarrow and its load. When considering heavier loads, this mechanical advantage allows a person to lift and move weights they otherwise would not be able to manage with their body alone.