Practical Physical Science

Lesson 8:5 Mechanical Advantage

Objectives

• Explain and calculate mechanical advantage.
• Use effort arm and resistance arm to determine the mechanical advantage of a lever.

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Mechanical Advantage Using Forces

Mechanical advantage = resistance force

effort force

MA = F_f

F_e

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Effort Force = 120 N

Resistance Force = 400 N

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MA = Resistance Force

Effort Force

Mechanical Advantage Using Arm Lengths

Mechanical Advantage = Effort arm length

Resistance arm length

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MA = effort arm

Resistance arm

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Practice

Lesson 8:5 Review Questions p. 226

WB 39 “Mechanical Advantage”