CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY

SIMPLE MACHINES,
MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE
AND EFFICIENCY
At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Discuss how simple machines and systems can be designed and built to alter the
amount of force needed to accomplish work
2. Calculate mechanical advantage and efficiency of simple machines

Time Allotted: 1 min Actual Time: __________

Looking back several years ago (between 1992-1993), have you wondered how the
sculptors and Brazilian engineers constructed the ​Christ the Redeemer Statue (Figure 1)?
Could ​you build a statue 30 meters (98 ft) high, 28 meters (92 ft) wide, arms outstretched 8
meters (26 ft), put it upright with just your bare hands? How did Brazilian workers shape
this greatest statue which sits on the 710 meter (2,330 feet) high Mount Corcovado? Of
course, these were made possible because of the complex mechanical devices powered by
engines to perform helpful labor saving tasks. However, remember that one key in
achieving this remarkable and challenging work was the use of simple machines which
once combined can produce complex machines.

Figure 1.​ Brazil’s greatest statue, Christ the Redeemer

Source: https://www.peruforless.com/blog/christ-the-redeemer-brazils-greatest-statue/​.

Time Allotted: 2 min Actual Time: __________

Simple machines​ are devices that aid in making work easier. This is by achieving one or
more of the following: increase the force’s magnitude, change the force’s direction, or
increase the force’ distance or speed.

Law of Conservation of Energy states that the total amount of energy is conserved in
closed systems. A machine cannot increase the amount of energy you put into it, thus they
cannot decrease the amount of work. Also, a simultaneous increase of the amount and

​ ​Learning Guide 13.3.2 | ​page 1 of 6

 distance of a force is impossible for a machine. With this, there is an inverse relationship
between force and distance - that is, a decrease in force is an increase in distance and
vice versa. Contrariwise, an increase in distance is a decrease in force. In addition, no
machine can surpass the amount of work that is put into it. Neglecting energy loss due to
friction, there is an equal amount of work produced by the machine and the work applied
on the machine.

Recall that 1​​ work is the amount of force multiplied by displacement, represented by the
equation: W = F · d . Force is the one exerted to an object and the distance is the one
moved by the object.

work applied on the machine = work done by the machine

F​i​ · ​D​i​ = F​o​ · ​D​o

Using a machine, you apply force to it (​input force F​i​). Sequentially, the machine put a
force to the object (​output force F​o​). The force given to the machine and the force applied
by the machine to the object are both applied over given distances, called the ​input
distance​ ​D​i​ and
​ ​output distance D​o​, respectively.

Sample Problem

For example, suppose an input force of 9 N is needed by a car jack to lift a 136 N
mass at a height of 0.30 meter. Find the displacement needed by the jack to perform
the task.

F​i​ · ​D​i​ = F​o​ · ​D​o

9 N( D​i​ = 136 N x 0.30 m

9 Nx D​i​ = 40.8 J
9 N x D​i​ = ​40.8 J
9N 9N
D​i​ = 4.53 m.

Substituting the value of D​i​ makes the input work = output work

There are two factors in order to measure the machine’s ability: (1) mechanical advantage
and (2) efficiency.

Mechanical advantage (MA) ​is the trade-off between force and distance. It is the ratio of
output force (F​o​) by input force (F​i​).

F​o​ is the force exerted by the machine and F​i​ the force applied to the machine

Efficiency ε of a machine denotes the conversion of input work into a useful output work.
It is the ratio of output work (W​o​) to input work (W​i​) times 100.

W​o ​is the amount of work supplied by the machine and​ ​W​i​ is the amount of work put into it.

1
For simplicity, the assumption at this point is that the force applied is in the same direction as the
displacement. The angle by which force is applied also affects the work done but will be discussed in
succeeding Physics courses.

​ ​Learning Guide 13.3.2 | ​page 2 of 6

A ​lever is a bar that rests at a secured point called fulcrum (Figure 2). A load is a
resistance force (F​r​) done by the lever. The applied force, or input force, or effort force (F​e​)
is the force exerted on the lever in order to move it. A lever can increase the magnitude of
the force that is exerted, or moves an object at a greater distance or in another direction. A
greater distance between a fulcrum and effort force indicates the need for a smaller
amount of force.

The mechanical advantage of a lever can be calculated by dividing the distances from the
fulcrum to the points of input/effort force and output/resistance force (L​r​). ​The mechanical
advantage of the lever below is 3.

Figure 2​. A lever.

Source: http://www2.phy.ilstu.edu/pte/489.01content/simple_machines/simple_machines.html

The ​wheel and axle consists of a big wheel firmly attached to a smaller wheel, referred to
as an axle (Figure 3). A rotation of 360​° ​of a wheel initiates a rotation of 360​° ​of an axle,
and vice versa. When the wheel rotates and turns the axle by applying a force, there is an
increase in force and decrease in distance and speed. A wheel with a larger width needs a
smaller effort to turn it ​and a greater distance to move it.

As shown in the figure below, the mechanical advantage of wheel and axle is achieved by
dividing the radius of the wheel (R) by the radius of the axle (r). For example, if the wheel’s
radius is 50 cm and its axle is 25 cm, then, the mechanical advantage is 2.

Figure 3​. A wheel and axle​.

Source: ​https://study.com/academy/lesson/mechanical-advantage-of-the-wheel-axle.html

Pulley, ​is a wheel and axle with a rope attached (Figure 4). The amount and/or direction of
the force exerted can be altered by a pulley. A pulley can lessen the input force if there is
an increase in the distance by the input force in relation to the movement of the weight. A
kind of pulley in which the drum is attached to one spot is referred to as a fixed pulley. It
does not alter the amount of force applied but alters the direction of the force. A pulley that
can move up and down together with its load is referred to as a movable pulley. It does not
alter the direction of the force but does in the amount of force applied by increasing it.

​ ​Learning Guide 13.3.2 | ​page 3 of 6

The mechanical advantage of pulley can be done by counting the number of ropes that
supports the load.

Figure 4​. Three pulley systems​.

Source: ​https://8ypulleys.weebly.com/types-of-pulleys-and-how-do-they-work.html

An ​inclined plane or ramp is a sloping surface used for raising or lowering a load (Figure
5). Increasing the length and decreasing the height of the ramp are two ways to lessen the
force in order to raise a load using this simple machine. There is a decrease in the effort
force if the distance of the effort force is increased in relation to the distance of the object.

The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane can be done by dividing the length of the
inclined plane (L) by its height (h). Assuming a ramp is 3 meter long with 0.5 meter high;
mechanical advantage is 6.

Figure 5.​ An inclined plane​.

Source: ​http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Mechanics/incline.html

A ​wedge is simply a version or modification of the inclined plane (Figure 6). Take note that
these two simple machines are not the same. A​n inclined plane is fixed with effort force
applied to the slope while a wedge is mobile with the effort force exerted to the width of the
wedge.

Figure 6.​ A wedge.

Source: ​http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Mechanics/incline.html

A wedge exerts more force on the object than the person exerts force on it, implying a
mechanical advantage of wedge to be greater than 1. Trade-off is that the output force is
applied over a smaller distance.

Calculating the mechanical advantage of a wedge, divide the length of the sloped side, L,
by the width of the wedge, t. ​For instance, assuming a 52 cm slope length with a 13 cm
width. The mechanical advantage is 4.

The ​screw is a long inclined plane twisted around a shaft (Figure 7). By increasing the
force being applied to it, it causes objects to move to higher depth. In using a screw, a
force is applied to turn the inclined plane. In response, there is a greater force applied to
the object (e.g. wood).

​ ​Learning Guide 13.3.2 | ​page 4 of 6

 Figure 7. ​The screw.
Source: ​http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Mechanics/incline.html

The distance between screw threads is called “pitch”, P. To get P, use a ruler and position
it similarly to a screw. In 1 inch, count the number of threads. For example, in 1 inch there
are 10 threads so the pitch of the screw is 1/10 inch or 0.1 inch. Calculating the
mechanical advantage, divide one rotation of the effort arm (D​E​) = circumference, by the
linear distance travelled during one rotation of the effort arm (D​R​) = pitch.

Sample Problem

Calculating % efficiency

A lever moves 0.5 m as an applied force of 12 N is exerted on its effort arm. This then
carries a weight of 28 N reclining on the resistance arm in a distance of 0.2 m. What is
the efficiency of the machine?

W​i​ = F​i​ x D​i​ and W​o​= F​o​ x D​o

W​i =
​ F​i​ x D​i​ = (12 N)(0.5 m) = 6.0 J and W​o​= F​o​ x D​o​ = (28 N)(0.2 m) = 5.6 J
% efficiency = 5.6 J / 6.0 J = 100%

​% efficiency = 93%

As per the Law of Conservation of Energy, there is equal total output energy and total
input energy but because some of the input energy is translated to unavailable friction,
heat and air resistance an efficiency of less than 100% is always applied in real machines.

Time Allotted: 18 min Actual Time: __________

GRADED FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Carefully read the questions and provide the solutions to your answers.

1. Assume that you are riding a bicycle. An applied force of 701 N downward is
applied as you push on the pedals. The output force that leads the bicycle to
move forward is 95 N. Give mechanical advantage of the bicycle.

​ ​Learning Guide 13.3.2 | ​page 5 of 6

 2. The round handle of a faucet is affixed to a shaft that lets a valve to be open and
closed every time the round handle is rotated. Give the radius of the handle if
the shaft has a diameter of 1 cm and the MA of the machine is 8.

3. Which inclined planes have the same mechanical advantage?

4. The mechanical advantage of a wedge is greater than 1 because it applies more

force to the object than the person applies force to the wedge (F​o​ > F​i​).

4a. Which wedge below has the greatest mechanical advantage?

4b. Which wedge below has the greatest input force?

Time Allotted: 8 min Actual Time: __________

In Summary
Simple machines such as lever, pulley, wheel and axle, wedge, screw, and incline plane)
make our work easier by altering the amount, speed, or direction of forces.

The mechanical advantage (MA) is the advantage obtained by the use of a mechanism in
transmitting force. It is equivalent to ​output force divided by input force. Remember that
each simple machine has its own method for calculating mechanical advantage.

Efficiency ε is a measure of how much more work must be put into a machine than you
get out of the machine. It is defined as the ratio of work output to work input, multiplied by
100.

Time Allotted: 1 min Actual Time: __________

Cutnell J.D., & Johnson K.W. (2015). ​Introduction to Physics​. 9​th​ Edition
Darby G. (1961). ​What is a simple machine?​ Chicago: Benefic Press.
Gorelick S.S. (nd.) ​PHY 126 Lecture Notes​ Chapter 10
Hewitt P.G., Lyons S.A., Suchocki J.A., & Yeh J. (2013). ​Conceptual Integrated Science​,
2nd Edition.
Roller D.E., & Nedelsky L. (2008). ​"Conservation of energy"​. ​Access Science​. McGraw-Hill
Companies.
Energy, Work, and Simple Machines. Chapter 10.​ ​Chapter 10: Energy, Work, and Simple
Machines (peekskillcsd.org)
https://theculturetrip.com/south-america/brazil/articles/a-history-of-the-christ-the-redeemer-
monument/

​ ​Learning Guide 13.3.2 | ​page 6 of 6