Simple machines make our lives easier by allowing us to do tasks with less force. The mechanical advantage is the factor of which a machine multiplies the force put into it. For example, if a simple machine has a mechanical advantage of 3 it means that it made the work you did 3 times easier or you only had to put in 1/3 the force you would have if you didn’t have the simple machine.
An example of a simple machine is the wheel and axle. The wheel and axle allows movement of larger objects over a distance with less force. Imagine pushing a cart at the supermarket. Without wheels and axles it would be difficult to move a cart full of groceries.
To calculate the mechanical advantage of a wheel and axle you must divide the radius of the wheel by the radius of the axle. Therefore larger wheels means that the speed of the wheels is faster than the speed of the axle and for each rotation the axle makes the wheels are making multiple rotations. A mechanical advantage of 5 means that the wheels are moving 5 times faster than the axle.
MA= radius of wheel/radius of axle
If the wheel rotates 10 times more than the axle does would that make the load 10 times lighter? and would the Velocity of the effort matter?
I believe Jill has got it correct- the large wheel does not make multiple rotation, but it's linear speed is greater
How is this statement possible if the wheel is attached to the axle? "for each rotation the axle makes the wheels are making multiple rotations"? The angular speed is the same for both, but the linear speed depends on radius, so the edge of the wheel has a greater linear speed than the edge of the axle.
And it is disappointing that these videos are listed as 11-12 grades, but torque is not included as part of this discussion. This seems like middle school level understanding.
I do believe that the Momentum of the circle ( Unlike other shapes ) Increases the acceleration of its Rotations
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