All machines have a calculation to determine their Mechanical Advantage (M.A.). Mechanical Advantage is the ratio of two forces (output : input). By changing the position of the fulcrum on a lever, you can change the Mechanical Advantage of a lever and gain extra power with less effort. For example, if the fulcrum is closer to the effort arm, it has a Mechanical Advantage of "less than 1". If the fulcrum is closer to the output arm, it has a (M.A) of 1. If the fulcrum is centered between both arms, it can have an advantage of 1, equal to 1, or less than 1. (click here for more information on Classes of Levers)
(M.A) is basically just a way to figure out if a machine makes work easier, the same, or harder. You call this having an "advantage of 1, equal to 1, or less than 1". Mechanical Advantage for Levers is dependant on the Length of each of the Input Arm and Output Arm. The length of the input arm is the amount of distance between the Effort Arm (Input Force) and the Fulcrum. The length of the output arm is is the amount of distance the Load Arm (Output Force) and the Fulcrum.
Formula
M.A.= (Output Force) (Input Force)
Ideal Mechanical Advantage of a Lever
The Mechanical Advantage of machines are generally calculated using the formula "M.A.= output force / input force". To find these forces, you would need to conduct a series of experiments. However, many times, all you need to find is something called Ideal Mechanical Advantage (I.M.A.). Ideal Mechanical Advantage is the same as Mechanical Advantage, but without friction. Sometimes, when there is not a large amount of friction, calculating the (I.M.A.) can provide relatively accurate results. The (I.M.A.) can be calculated without using forces as measurements. (I.M.A.) for levers is calculated by dividing the Length of the Output Arm by the Length of the Input Arm.
Formula:
I.M.A.= (Length of Input Arm) (Length of Output Arm)
Mechanical Advantage of a Lever
All machines have a calculation to determine their Mechanical Advantage (M.A.). Mechanical Advantage is the ratio of two forces (output : input). By changing the position of the fulcrum on a lever, you can change the Mechanical Advantage of a lever and gain extra power with less effort. For example, if the fulcrum is closer to the effort arm, it has a Mechanical Advantage of "less than 1". If the fulcrum is closer to the output arm, it has a (M.A) of 1. If the fulcrum is centered between both arms, it can have an advantage of 1, equal to 1, or less than 1. (click here for more information on Classes of Levers)
(M.A) is basically just a way to figure out if a machine makes work easier, the same, or harder. You call this having an "advantage of 1, equal to 1, or less than 1". Mechanical Advantage for Levers is dependant on the Length of each of the Input Arm and Output Arm. The length of the input arm is the amount of distance between the Effort Arm (Input Force) and the Fulcrum. The length of the output arm is is the amount of distance the Load Arm (Output Force) and the Fulcrum.
Formula
M.A.=
(Output Force)
(Input Force)
Ideal Mechanical Advantage of a Lever
The Mechanical Advantage of machines are generally calculated using the formula "M.A.= output force / input force". To find these forces, you would need to conduct a series of experiments. However, many times, all you need to find is something called Ideal Mechanical Advantage (I.M.A.). Ideal Mechanical Advantage is the same as Mechanical Advantage, but without friction. Sometimes, when there is not a large amount of friction, calculating the (I.M.A.) can provide relatively accurate results. The (I.M.A.) can be calculated without using forces as measurements. (I.M.A.) for levers is calculated by dividing the Length of the Output Arm by the Length of the Input Arm.
Formula:
I.M.A.=
(Length of Input Arm)
(Length of Output Arm)