Guide

F.7
Key Concepts Idea Book Exercise: Mechanical Advantage
Student Name(s):
Teacher/Class: Date: Page #:
Mechanical Advantage is the calculation of how much faster and easier a machine makes your
work. It compares the output force a mechanism or machine gives you to the input force that is
applied to that mechanism or machine to get it to work. Mechanical advantage can be adjusted to
meet specic needs.
Instructions:
Your task is to “imagine” a mechanism or device that can adjust its mechanical advantage to meet
changing needs. For example, in the lesson on Mechanical Advantage we described a bicycle’s
ability to change gears for both uphill and downhill riding to meet varying speed and torque needs.
STEP 1. “THINK” - Think of any situation (other than the bicycle) where a machine, device, or
mechanism with the ability to change its mechanical advantage would be helpful in some way.
Describe that situation or “problem” in words below. Use terms from our unit matching exercise
whenever possible (friction, center of gravity, speed, power, torque, etc.) in your description:
STEP 2. “DO” – Draw and describe your machine, device, or mechanism. Name it, label its parts,
show and describe how it would work and how mechanical advantage would be changed. Use
terms from our unit matching exercise where possible (friction, center of gravity, speed, power,
torque, etc.) in your description.
Draw, name, and label your machine, device, or mechanism here:
Describe how it would work and how mechanical advantage would be changed below: