Simple Machines Calculations

Test Study Guide - HS

Find the IMA, AMA and ME for each of the following simple machines.

How does each of these machines make work easier?

Inclined Planes

1. Inclined Plane. Show your work.

24 m

15 N
5m

35 N
a. IMA = length/height = 24/5 = 4.8

Output F = input F x IMA = 15 x 4.8 = 72

b. AMA = resistance/effort = 35/15 =2.3

c. ME
AMA/IMA = 2.3/4.8 = 47%

d. How does it make work easier?

multiply input force by increasing distance of slope length

1
Levers

2. 1st Class Lever

50 N

Weight of object = 135 N 37 m

N
12 m

18m
6m

a. IMA
Effort arm/resistance arm= 37/12 = 3.1 m

b. AMA

Resistance/Effort = 135N/50N = 2.7 N

c. ME

AMA/IMA x 100 = 3.1/2.7 x 100 = 87%

d. How does it make work easier?

 1st class lever changes the direction of the force and can multiply the input force (effort)
 2nd class lever multiplies input force (effort)
 3rd class used for pushing & hitting multiplies the distance the effort (input force) moves …like a
broom

2
3. 2nd Class Lever
75 N
35 cm 35 cm

128 N

10 cm 20 cm

a. IMA
Effort Arm/Resistance Arm = 70 CM / 35 CM = 2

b. AMA
Resistance Force/ Effort Force = 128 N/ 75 N = 1.7

c. ME
AMA/IMA x 100 = 1.7/2 x 100= 85%

d. How does it make work easier?

Multiplies effort force

3
4. 3rd Class Lever
70 cm

15 cm 125 N
590 N

23 cm
5 cm

a. IMA

Effort arm/resistance arm= 15/70 = .214

b. AMA

Resistance force/effort force = 125/590 = .212

c. ME
AMA/IMA = 0.212/0.214 = 99%

d. How does it make work easier?

Multiplies the distance the load travels

4
Pulleys

5. Single Fixed Pulley

2.5 m

35 N

2.5 m

a. IMA

One load bearing rope = 1

b. AMA

Resistance force/effort force = 30/35 = 0.86

c. ME

AMA/IMA =86%

d. How does it make work easier?

Changes direction of force

5
6. Single Moveable Pulley

5m

105 N

2.5 m

a. IMA

2 Load bearing ropes = 2

b. AMA

Resistance force/effort force = 200./105 = 1.90

c. ME

AMA/IMA = 1.90/2 = 95%

d. How does it make work easier?

Increases the distance traveled from same amount of force

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7. Single Fixed/Single Moveable Pulley - Pulling Down

175 N

70 cm
35 cm

a. IMA

Load-bearing ropes = 2

b. AMA

Res F/eff F = 300./175 = 1.71

c. ME

AMA/IMA = 1.71/2 = 90% (1 sig fig)

d. How does it make work easier?

Changes direction of force, increases distance from same amount of force

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8. Single Fixed/Single Moveable Pulley - Pulling Up

75 cm
175 N

25 cm

500 N

a. IMA

Load-bearing ropes = 3

b. AMA

Res F/Eff F = 500./175 = 2.86

c. ME

AMA/IMA = 2.86/3 = 95%

d. How does it make work easier?

Increases amount of distance traveled from the same force.

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Wheel and Axles

9. Wheel and Axle – Wheel turns axle

a. IMA
Effort distance/resistance distance = 27/8 = 3.375

b. AMA
Res F / Eff F = 245/78 = 3.14

c. ME

AMA/IMA = 3.14/3.375 = 93.0%

d. How does it make work easier?

Increases the distance of the input work