How is mechanical advantage calculated?

Mechanical advantage is calculated by dividing the output force by the input force.

Mechanical advantage is a measure of the effectiveness of a machine in amplifying force. It is defined as the ratio of the output force to the input force. The formula for mechanical advantage is:

Mechanical Advantage = Output Force / Input Force

For example, if a machine has an output force of 500 N and an input force of 100 N, the mechanical advantage would be:

Mechanical Advantage = 500 N / 100 N
Mechanical Advantage = 5

This means that the machine is able to amplify the input force by a factor of 5, resulting in an output force that is 5 times greater than the input force.

Mechanical advantage can also be expressed as a percentage, which is known as the efficiency of the machine. The formula for efficiency is:

Efficiency = Output Work / Input Work x 100%

Where output work is the work done by the machine and input work is the work done on the machine. The efficiency of a machine is always less than 100% due to friction and other losses.

In summary, mechanical advantage is calculated by dividing the output force by the input force. It is a measure of the effectiveness of a machine in amplifying force and can be expressed as a ratio or percentage.