How do you calculate the mechanical advantage of a simple machine?

To calculate the mechanical advantage of a simple machine, divide the output force by the input force.

Mechanical advantage is a measure of how much a machine can multiply force or distance. It is calculated by dividing the output force by the input force. The output force is the force that is produced by the machine, while the input force is the force that is applied to the machine. The mechanical advantage of a simple machine can be calculated using the following formula:

Mechanical Advantage = Output Force / Input Force

For example, if a lever has an output force of 100 N and an input force of 20 N, the mechanical advantage of the lever would be:

Mechanical Advantage = 100 N / 20 N = 5

This means that the lever can multiply the input force by a factor of 5, making it easier to lift heavy objects. The higher the mechanical advantage of a machine, the easier it is to do work with that machine.

It is important to note that the mechanical advantage of a machine does not take into account any energy losses due to friction or other factors. In reality, the actual mechanical advantage of a machine may be lower than the theoretical mechanical advantage calculated using the formula above.