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All 4 Flashcards — Mechanical advantage
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Question
Define mechanical advantage.
Answer
MA = load ÷ effort — how many times a mechanism multiplies the force applied to it. On a lever it equals the effort arm divided by the load arm.
Question
What is paid for a mechanical advantage above 1?
Answer
Distance. The effort end travels further than the load end, in the same ratio, because force × distance in equals force × distance out less friction.
Question
When is a mechanical advantage below 1 wanted?
Answer
When speed or reach matters more than force — tweezers, a fishing rod, a broom, the human forearm. All multiply movement and divide force.
Question
How is the efficiency of a mechanism improved?
Answer
Reduce friction with bearings and lubrication, stiffen members so movement is not lost in flexing, and shorten the chain so fewer joints add losses.
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Topic 3.3 hub
Mechanical systems
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