Overview Mechanical Advantage is a measure of force amplication achieved by a machine. Mechanical Advantage ( MA ) is created when a machine multiplies the input force to create a output force. To determine the mechanical advantage of a machine you have to divide the input force by the output force. The formula to calculate Mechanical Advantage is input force / output force.
Example: The lever increases the input force of 20N to an output force of 160N therefore this lever has a Mechanical Advantage of 8.
MA= F in/F out MA= 20N/160N MA= 8
Some machines have MA's that are higher than 1. This is basically saying you put in an amount of force and the machine amplifies it and therefore makes the object easier to lift. this is useful when lifting heavy objects that regular human beings can't lift no matter how strong they are.
Not all machines have a MA more than 1. Some have MA's that are less than one. this is when you exert a certain amount of force but you get less force out of it. For instance when you swing a baseball bat, you put a certain amount of force into it but you get less force when you hit the ball.
Mechanical Advantage
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Definition Mechanical Advantage: The ratio of the output force produced by a machine to the applied input force.
Overview
Mechanical Advantage is a measure of force amplication achieved by a machine. Mechanical Advantage ( MA ) is created when a machine multiplies the input force to create a output force. To determine the mechanical advantage of a machine you have to divide the input force by the output force. The formula to calculate Mechanical Advantage is input force / output force.
Example: The lever increases the input force of 20N to an output force of 160N therefore this lever has a Mechanical Advantage of 8.
MA= F in/F out
MA= 20N/160N
MA= 8
Some machines have MA's that are higher than 1. This is basically saying you put in an amount of force and the machine amplifies it and therefore makes the object easier to lift. this is useful when lifting heavy objects that regular human beings can't lift no matter how strong they are.
Not all machines have a MA more than 1. Some have MA's that are less than one. this is when you exert a certain amount of force but you get less force out of it. For instance when you swing a baseball bat, you put a certain amount of force into it but you get less force when you hit the ball.