3 MACHINES

SCOPE OF SYLLABUS

Functions and uses of simple machines. Terms : effort E, load L, mechanical advantage
MA = L/E, velocity ratio VR = VE/VL = dE/dL, input (Wi), output(Wo), efficiency ( ),
relation between and MA, VR (derivation included), for all practical machines < 1,
MA < VR.
Lever : Principle, First, second and third class of levers; examples : MA and VR in
each case. Examples of each of these classes of levers as also found in the human
body.
Pulley system : Single fixed, single movable, block and tackle; MA, VR and in each
case.

MACHINES, USES AND ITS TECHNICAL TERMS

1.
(a) What do you understand by a simple machine?
(b) State the principle of an ideal machine.
Ans. (a) Anything which reduces human effort is called as Simple Machine.
(b) The work output (load) is equal to the work input (effort).

2. State four ways in which machines are useful to us.

Ans. (i) In changing the point of application of effort to a convenient point.
(ii) In changing the direction of effort to a convenient direction.
(iii) In lifting a heavy load by using less effort.
(iv) For obtaining a gain in speed.

3.
Name a machine for each of the following use :
(a) To multiply force
(b) To change the point of application of force
(c) To change the direction of force
(d) To obtain gain in speed
Ans. (a) Shears is force multipier, used for cutting thin metal sheets.
(b) The wheel of a cycle is rotated with the help of a chain by applying force on
the pedal.
(c) A single fixed pulley is used to lift a bucket of water from the well.
(d) A pair of scissor to cut the cloth.

4. What is the purpose of a jack in lifting a car by it?

Ans. In lifting a car by jack, effort supplied is less than the load.

5.
What do you understand by an ideal machine? How does it differ from a practical
machine?
Ans. Ideal Machine is free from Friction and Efficiency is 100% or 1 and M.A. is
numerically equal to the V.R.

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Difference between Ideal machine and Practical machine : In ideal machine,

the efficiency is equal to 1 and the mechanical advantage is numerically equal to
the velocity ratio. In practical machine, mechanical advantage is always less than
its velocity ratio or the output work is always less than the input work, so the
efficiency is less than.

6. Explain the term mechanical advantage. State its unit.

Ans. The ratio of the load to the effort is called the Mechanical advantage.
Load
M.A. =
Effort
Units : M.A. has no units as it is the ratio of two similar quantities.

7. Define the term velocity ratio. State its unit.

Ans. The ratio of the velocity of effort to the velocity of load is called the Velocity ratio.
Velocity of effort
Velocity ratio (V.R) =
Velocity of load
V.R. Is defined as ratio of the Displacement of effort to the Displacement of Load.
Units : V.R. has no units as it is the ratio of two similar quantities.

8. How is mechanical advantage related to the velocity ratio for (i) ideal machine,
(ii) practical machine?
Ans. (i) M. A. = V. R. (ii) M. A. < V. R.

9. Define the term efficiency of a machine. Why is machine not 100% efficient?
Ans. Efficiency of the machine ( ) is the ratio of the work output to the work input.
It is denoted by the symbol of (eta).
work output
Efficiency ( ) = 100%
work input
A Machine is not 100% efficient because:
(i) A part of work done on machine is wasted in over coming the friction between
the various parts of machine.
(ii) Its moving parts are not weightless.
(iii) The string in it (if any) is not perfectly elastic.
(iv) Its different parts are not perfectly smooth.

10. When does a machine act as (a) a force multiplier (b) a speed multiplier. Can a
machine act as a force multiplier and a speed multiplier simultaneously?
Ans. (a) When the effort needed to overcome a certain load is less than the load, the
machine has the mechanical advantage more than 1 (M.A.>1), it acts as a
force multiplier. Also in a machine, if the displacement of load is less than
the displacement of effort, its velocity ratio is more than 1 (V.R.>1), it acts as
a force multiplier.
(b) If a machine needs an effort greater than the load, it has mechanical advantage
less than one (M.A.<1) and it works as a speed multiplier. Also, a machine in
which displacement of load, is more than the displacement of effort, velocity
ratio is less than one (V.R.<1) and such a machine acts as a speed multiplier.
No, a machine cannot act as a force multiplier and a speed multiplier
simultaneously because for speed multiplier, M.A.<1 and V.R.<1 and for force
multiplier M.A.>1 and V.R.>1.
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11. State the relationship between mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and
efficiency. Name the term that will not change for a machine of a given design.
Ans. M.A. = η ×V.R.
The term velocity ratio does not change for a machine of a given design as M.A. is
always equal to V.R.

12. Derive the relationship between mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and
efficiency of a machine.
Ans. Let a machine overcome a load L by the application of effort E. In time t, let the
displacement of effort be dE and the displacement of load be dL.
Work input = Effort × displacement of effort = E × dE
Work output = Load × displacement of load = L × dL
Work output
Efficiency =
Work input

1
L × dL L d L dE L d
= = × L = × but = M.A. and E V.R.
E × dE E dE E dL E dL

1
Efficiency = M.A. ×
V.R.
M.A.
=
V.R.

13. How is the mechanical advantage related with the velocity ratio for an actual
machine? State whether the efficiency of such a machine is equal to 1, less
than 1 or more than 1.
Ans. Actual machine is practical machine.
M.A.< V.R.,
M.A. = × V.R.
M.A.
=
V.R.
<1
Efficiency of machine is less than 1.

14. State one reason, why is mechanical advantage less than the velocity ratio for
an actual machine.
Ans. Due to energy loss in friction.

LEVERS AND TYPES OF LEVERS

1. What is a lever ? State its principle.

Ans. Lever is a straight or bent rigid rod capable of turning about a Point, called Fulcrum.
Principle of Lever :
In equilibrium position, Effort × Effort arm = Load × Load arm.
Load Effort arm
=
Effort Load arm

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2. Write down a relation expressing the mechanical advantage of a lever.

Effort arm
Ans. Mechanical Advantage =
Load arm

3. Name the three classes of levers and state how are they distinguished. Give
two examples of each class.
Ans. (a) Class I levers or first order levers :
Effort
Load arm
F

LOAD Effort arm

Fulcrum is between the Load and Effort.

Examples : see-Saw, Scissors
(b) Class II Levers or second order levers:
Effort arm
Load arm E
F

LOAD

Load is between the Fulcrum and Effort.

Examples : Wheel barrow, Lemon Squeezer
(c) Class III Levers or Third order Levers:
Effort

Effort arm LOAD

Load arm

Effort is between Fulcrum and Load.

Examples : Plucker, Sugar Tongs

4. Give one example each of a Class I lever where mechanical advantage is:
(a) more than one (b) less than one. What is the use of the lever if its mechanical
advantage is less than 1?
Ans. (a) Class I lever with M.A. more than 1 is a Shears.
(b) Class I lever with M.A. less than 1 is scissors used to cut cloth or paper
When M.A. is less than 1, this type of levers are used gain in Speed.

5. A pair of scissors and a pair of pliers both belong to the same class
levers. Name the class of lever. Which one has the mechanical advantage less
than 1?
Ans. Both belong to Class I levers. A pair of Scissors has M.A. Less than 1.

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6. Explain why scissors for cutting metal have short blades and long handles.
Ans. Scissors for cutting cloth may have Blades longer than handles dL > dE to have
V.R. less than 1 i.e. moment of Load more as compared to displacement of Effort.
So blades movement longers on the cloth, While shears have short blades and
long handles to enable us to overcome large resistive force (Load by small Effort.

7. In Figure given below a uniform metre scale of weight W supported on a

fulcrum at the 60cm mark by applying the effort E at 90cm mark. (a) State
with reason whether the weight W of the scale is greater than, less than or
equal to the effort E. (b) Find the mechanical advantage in an ideal case.
0 100 cm
50
60 90

F
Ans. Since the metre scale is uniform E
Its mass per unit length is same and its wt. W acts at 50 cm mark
W × (60 – 50) = E (90 – 60)
0 10 30 100 cm
50
60 90

10W = 30E F
W E
30 E
W= = 3E
10
Weight of scale is Greater than E
Reason is that “Distance of weight of metre scale from fulcrum F(10 cm) is
less than that of the effort E (30 cm), so the weight W of scale is greater than
the effort E.
(b) In this case,
Effort arm = 30cm, Local arm = 10cm
Effort arm 30
Ideal mechanical advantage (M.A.) = = =3
Load arm 10

8. Which type of lever has a mechanical advantage always more than 1? Give one
example. What change can be made in the lever to increase its mechanical
advantage?
Ans. Class II levers has M.A. always more than 1.
Example - Hinged Door, to open and close the door applying Little Effort.
Load arm is increased to increase its mechanical advantage.

9. Draw a diagram of a lever which is always used as a force multiplier. How is

the effort arm related to the load arm in a levers?
Ans. Class II lever always acts as Force Multiplier.
Effort arm

Load arm E
F

LOAD
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10. Explain why the mechanical advantage of a class II type is always more than 1.
Ans. Class II Levers have M.A. always More than 1 as Effort Arm is always longer than
Load Arm.

11. Draw a labelled diagram of a class II lever. Give one example of such a lever.
Ans. Nut Cracker acts as Class II Lever.
Effort arm

Load arm E
F

LOAD

12. The diagram shows a nut cracker.

(a) In the diagram, mark the position of the
fulcrum F and the line of action of load L
and effort E.
(b) Name the class of lever.

Ans. (a)

F - Fulcrum, L - Load, E - Effort

(b) Class II Lever.

13. The diagram below shows a wheel barrow. Mark the position of fulcrum F and
draw arrows to show the directions of load L and effort E. What class of lever
is the wheel barrow? Give one more example of the same class of lever.

Ans.

Wheel Barrow is Class II Lever

Example of class II Lever is Bottle opener

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14. State the kind of lever which always has the mechanical advantage less than
1. Draw a labelled diagram of such lever.
Ans. Class III lever has always the mechanical Effort
advantage less than 1. Since effort arm is
always smaller less than load arm.
F

Effort arm LOAD

Load arm

15. Explain why the mechanical advantage of the class III lever is always less than 1.
Ans. Class III Levers have M.A. less than one because Effort Arm is always Smaller
than the Load Arm.

16. Class III Levers have mechanical advantage less than one. Why are they then
used?
Ans. Class III Levers though have M.A. Less than 1, but by using them we get Gain in
Speed i.e. a Larger Movement of Load is obtained by smaller movement of effort.

17. What type of lever is formed by the human body while: (a) raising a load on the
palm (b) raising the weight of body on toes?
Ans. (a) Human Arm forms Class III Lever position fo Fulcrum is on one end of effort.
(b) While raising the weight of body on toes, human body forms class II lever.

18. Indicate the positions of load L, effort E and fulcrum F in the forearm shown.
Name the class of lever.

Ans. Figure : (L) Load at hand

(F) Fulcrum at joint
(E) Effort - biceps
Class III Lever

19. Draw a labelled sketch of a class III lever. Give one example of this kind of lever.
Ans. Class III Lever has Effort in between Load and Fulcrum.
Effort

Effort arm LOAD

Load arm
E.g: Human arm carrying weight (Class III Lever)

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20. Write examples of each class of levers as found in the human body.
Ans. Class I lever in the action of noding of head
Class II lever in raising the weight of the body on toes.
Class III lever in raising a load by forearm.

21. The lever for which the mechanical advantage is less than one has :
(a) Fulcrum at mid point between load and effort
(b) Load between effort and fulcrum
(c) Effort between fulcrum and load
(d) Load and effort acting at the same point.
Ans. (c) Effort between fulcrum and load

22. To which class of levers do the following belong?

(a) Wheel barrow (b) Nut cracker
(c) Crowbar (d) Fishing rod
(e) Forearm (f) Fire tongs
Ans. (a) Wheel barrow: Class II Lever
(b) Nut cracker: Class II Lever
(c) Crowbar:Class I Lever
(d) Fishing rod:Class III Lever
(e) Forearm:Class III Lever
(f) Fire tongs:Class III Lever

23. State the class of levers and the relative position of load (L), effort (E) and
fulcrum (F) in (i) a bottle opener (ii) sugar tongs.
Ans. (i) Bottle opener is class II Lever.
Effort arm

Load arm E
F

LOAD
(ii) Ice tongs or Sugar tongs is class III Lever.
Effort

Effort arm LOAD

Load arm

24. Draw diagrams to illustrate the positions of fulcrum, load and effort, in. each
of the following :
(i) A seesaw (ii) A common balance
(iii) A nut cracker (iv) Forceps
Ans. (i) A seesaw (Class I)
Effort
Load arm
F

LOAD Effort arm

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(ii) A common balance (Class I)

Effort
Load arm
F

LOAD Effort arm

(iii) A nut cracker (Class II)

Effort arm

Load arm E
F

LOAD

(iv) Forceps (class III)

Effort

Effort arm LOAD

Load arm

25. Classify the following into lever as class I, class II or Class III :
(a) a door (b) a catapult
(c) a wheel barrow (d) a fishing rod
Ans. (a) a door - Class II
(b) a catapult - Class I
(c) a wheel barrow - Class II
(d) a fishing rod - Class III

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Mechanical advatage (M.A.), load (L) and effort (E) are related as :
(a) M.A. = L × E (b) M.A. × E = L
(c) E = M.A. × L (d) none of these
Ans. (b) M.A. x E = L

2. The correct relationship between the mechanical advantage (M.A.), the velocity
ratio (V.R. and the efficiency ( ) is :
(a) M.A. = × V.R. (b) V.R. = × M.A.
(c) = M.A. × V.R. (d) none of these
Ans. (a) M.A. = × V.R.

3. Which of the following statements is not true for a machine :

(a) It always has efficiency less than 100%
(b) its mechanical advantage can be less than 1.
(c) It can also be used as a speed multiplier.
(d) It can have a mechanical advantage greater than the velocity ratio.
Ans. (d) It can have a mechanical advantage greater than the velocity ratio.

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4. The lever for which the mechanical advantage is less than 1 has :
(a) fulcrum at mid point between load and effort
(b) load between effort and fulcrum
(c) effort between fulcrum and load
(d) load and effort acting at the same point.
Ans. (c) effort between fulcrum and load

5. Class II levers are desinged to have:

(a) M.A. = V.R. (b) M.A. > V.R.
(c) M.A. > 1 (d) M.A. < 1
Ans. (c) M.A. > 1

NUMERICALS BASED ON LEVERS

1. A crowbar of length 120 cm has its fulcrum situated at a distance of 20 cm

from the load. Calculate the mechanical advantage of the crowbar.
Effort arm 20 F Effort arm
Ans. M.A. =
Load arm Load arm 100 cm
100
= 5
20 120 cm

2. A 4 m long rod of negligible weight is to be balanced about a point 125 cm from

one end. A load of 18 kgf is suspended at a point 60 cm from the support on
the shorter arm.
(i) A weight W is placed 250 cm from the support on the longer arm, find W.
(ii) If W = 5kgf, where must it be kept to balance the rod?
(iii) To which class of lever does it belong?
Ans. (i) Load × Load Arm = Effort × Effort Arm
W × 250 = 18 × 60
18 × 60
W = = 4.32 kgf
250
(ii) New W = 5 kgf
Let it be placed at a distance x from the fixed point
5 × x = 18 × 60
18 × 60
x = = 216 cm
5
(iii) It belongs to class I lever.

3. A pair of scissors has its blades 15 cm long, while its handles are 7.5 cm long.
What is its mechanical advantage?
Ans. Load arm = 15 cm
Effort arm = 7.5 cm
Effort arm 7.5 1
M.A. = = = = 0.5
Load arm 15 2

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4. A force of 5 kgf is required to cut a metal sheet. A shears used for cutting a
metal sheet has its blades 5cm long, while its handle is 10 cm long. What
effort is needed to cut a sheet?
5 10
Ans. Load arm = 5 cm = m, L = 5 kgf, E = ?, Effort arm = 10 cm = m
100 100
Effort × Effort Arm = Load × Load Arm
10 5
E× = 5×
100 100
25
E = = 2.5 kgf
10

5. The diagram below shows a lever in use.

(a) To which class of lever does its belong?
(b) If AB = 1 m, AF = 0.4m, find its mechanical advantage.
(c) Calculate the value of E.
A F B

V V
E
L=15kgf
Ans. Load arm (AF) = 0.4 m, Load = 15kgf

0.4m 0.6m
A F B

V V
E
L=15kgf
(a) F is between Load and Effort. It is class I lever
Effort arm 0.6
(b) M.A. = 1.5
Load arm 0.4
(c) E × Effort arm = L × Load arm
E × 0.6 = 15 × 0.4
6.0
E = 10kgf
0.6

6. A man uses a crowbar of length 1.5m to raise a load of 75 kgf by putting a

sharp edge below the bar at a distance 1 m from his hand. State the kind of
lever. Calculate:
(i) Load Arm (ii) Effort Arm (iii) M.A. (iv) Effort
Ans. (i) Load arm 1.5 – 1.0 = 0.5m.
(ii) Effort arm = 1m
Effort arm 1.0
(iii) Mechanical advantage = = =2
Load arm 0.5

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L
(iv) M.A =
E
75kgf
2 =
E
75
E = = 37.5 kgf
2
class I lever.

7. A pairs of scissior is used to cut a piece of a cloth by keeping it at distance 8.0

cm from its a rivet and applying an effort of 10 kgf by fingers at a distance
2.0cm from the rivet. Find : (i) the mechanical advantage of scissors (ii) the
load offered by the cloth. How does the pair of scissor act : as a force multiplier
or as a speed multiplier?
Ans. Load arm = 8.0 cm
Effort arm = 2.0 cm
effort arm 2 1
(i) Mechanical advantage = 0.25
load arm 8 4
(ii) Principle of machine
Effort × effort arm = Load × Load arm
Load Effort arm
=
Effort Load arm
W 2
=
E 8
W 1
=
10 4
10
W = = 2.5 kgf
4
Load offered by cloth = 2.5 kgf
Pair of scissors act as speed multiplier as dL > dE.

8. The diagram below shows a lever in use.

Effort arm
(i) To which class of lever does it
belong? Load arm E
(ii) If FA = 80cm, AB = 20cm, find its F A B
M.A.
(iii) Calculate the value of E LOAD
Ans. (i) Since Load lies in between F and E L = 5kgf
Lever is of Class II
Effort arm 100
(ii) M.A. = 1.25
Load arm 80
(iii) E × Effort arm = L × Load arm
E × 100 = 5 × 80
400
E = = 4 kgf
100
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9. The diagram shows the use of a lever. Effort

(i) State the principle of moments as
applied to the above lever.
A B
(ii) Give an example of the class of lever. F
(iii) If FA = 10 cm. AB = 490 cm, calculate
the mechanical advantage and Effort arm LOAD
minimum effort required to lift the
Load arm L = 50N
load.
Ans. (i) Principle of moments
Effort × E.A. = Load × L.A.
(ii) Sugar Tong (Class III lever hass effort in between F and
(iii) Effort arm FA = 10cm
Load arm BF = 490 + 10 = 500cm
Effort arm 10 1
M.A. =
Load arm 500 50
Effort × Effort arm = Load × Load arm
50×500
E= 2500N
10

10. The figure below shows a wheel barrow of mass 15 kg carrying a load of 30kgf
with its centre of gravity at A. The points B and C are the centre wheel and tip
of the handle such that the horizontal distance AB = 20 cm and AC = 40 cm.
(i) In the diagram, mark fulcrum F, load L and effort E with the directions.
(ii) Calculate :
(a) load arm
(b) effort arm
(c) mechanical advantage
(d) minimum effort required to
keep the leg off the ground.
(iii) Name the kind of lever. 20 40
Ans. Total load = 15 + 30 = 45kgf WHEEL BARROW
(i) In diagram L
(ii) (a) Load arm = 20cm E
(b) Effort arm = 20 + 40 = 60cm
60
(c) M.A. = 3 F
20
Load 45
(d) E = 15kgf
M.A. 3
(iii) Class II 20 40
WHEEL BARROW

11. If the weight of wheel barrow is 15 kgf and the weight of sand in it is 60 kgf,
use the information given in figure to calculate the minimum effort required to
keep the leg just off the ground.
Ans. Load of wheel barrow = (60 + 15) kgf
Load = 75kgf Load arm = 50 cm
Effort = ? Effort arm = 150 cm

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Load × Load arm = Effort × Effort arm

75 × 50 = E × 150
75 × 50
E =
150
E = 25 kgf

12. A fire tongs has its arms 20 cm long. It is used to lift a coal of 1.5kgf by
applying an effort at distance 15cm from the find : (i) the mechanical advantage
of fire tongs and (ii) the effort needed.
Ans. (i) M. A. = ?
L = 1.5 kgf, Effort arm = 15 cm, Load arm = 20 cm
Effort arm 15 3
M.A. = = 0.75
Load arm 20 4
(ii) Effort = ?
Load 1.5
Effort = = = 2.0kgf
M.A. 0.75

PULLEYS AND TYPES OF PULLEYS

1. What is single fixed pulley? State its one use.

Ans. A Pulley which has its axis of rotation fixed in position, is called single fixed pulley.
It is used to draw water conveniently from a well (it is used only to change the
direction of the force applied).

2. What is the ideal mechanical advantage of a single fixed pulley?

Ans. M.A. of Ideal single fixed pulley is one.

3. Name the pulley which has no gain in mechanical advantage. Explain, why is
such a pulley then used?
Ans. A single fixed pulley.
It is used to change the direction of the force applied.

4. What is the velocity ratio of a single fixed pulley?

dE d
Ans. d 1
L d

5. In a single fixed pulley, if the effort moves by a distance x downwards, by what

height is the load raised upwards?
Ans. Upward load is raised by x.

6. What is a single movable pulley? What is its mechanical advantage in the

ideal case?
Ans. A pulley whose axis of rotation is movable is called as a single movable pulley.
M.A. = 2

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7. Name the type of single pulley that has an ideal mechanical advantage equal
to 2. Draw a labelled diagram of the pulley metioned by you.
Ans. Single movable pulley.
Rigid support
H E

T=E

Single Pulley
movable
L

8. Give two reason why the efficiency of a single movable pulley system is not
100%.
Ans. (i) Moving part is not weightless
(ii) The string is not perfectly elastic.

9. In which direction the force needs to be applied, when a single pulley is used
with a mechanical advantage greater than one? How can you change the
direction of force applied without altering its mechanical advantage? Draw a
labelled diagram of the system.
Ans. M.A. greater than 1 can be obtained by
Fixed
using single movable pulley applying the
Pulley
force in the upward direction along with
fixed pulley. A single pulley fixed is used
only to change the direction of the force
Movable
applied in the convenient direction.
Pulley

10. What is the velocity ratio of a single movable pulley?

Ans. V.R. = 2

11. In a single movable pulley, if the effort moves by a distance upward, by what
height it the load raised?
Ans. The load raised by half the distance of the effort.

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12. Draw the labelled diagram of an arrangement of two pulleys, one fixed and
other movable. In the diagram, mark the directions of all forces acting on it.
What is the ideal mechanical advantage of the system? How can it be achieved?
Ans. Ideal mechanical advantage of this system
is 2. Fixed
Pulley

Movable
Pulley

13. The diagram shows a pulley arrangement.

(a) In the diagram, make the direction of tension
on each stand of string.
(b) What is the purpose of the pulley B?
(c) If the tension is T, deduce the relation between
T and E.
(d) What is the velocity ratio of the arrangement.
(e) Assuming that the efficiency of the system is
100%, what is the mechanical advantage?
(f) Name the pulleys A and B.
Ans. (a) Tension T is marked in the diagram.
(b) Purpose of fixed pulley B is to change the
Direction of Effort applied.
(c) L = T + T = 2T, E = T
Load L 2T
M.A. = = =2
Effort E T
M.A. in Ideal case = 2
T = E is the relation
(d) Velocity Ratio :
Distance moved by effort 2d
V.R. = = =2
Distance moved by load d
Load L 2T
(e) M.A. = = =2
Effort E T
(f) A - Single Movable Pulley B - Single Fixed Pulley

14. Differentiate between a single fixed pulley and a single movable pulley.
Ans. Single Fixed Pulley Single Movable Pulley
1. It is fixed to a rigid support. 1. It is not fixed to a rigid support.
2. Its mechanical advantage is 1. 2. Its mechanical advantage is 2.
3. Its velocity ratio is 1. 3. Its velocity ratio is 2.
4. The weight of pulley itself does not 4. The weight of pulley itself reduces
effect its mechanical advantage. its mechanical advantage.
5. It is used to change to direction 5. It is used as a force multiplier.
of effort.
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15. The diagram alongside shows an arrangement of

three pulleys A, B and C. The load is marked as L
and the effort as E.
(a) Name the pulleys A, B and C. C
(b) Mark in the diagram the directions of load
(L), Effort (E) and tension T1 and T2 in two
strings.
(c) How are the magnitudes of L and E related B
to tension T1? A
(d) Calculate the mechanical advantage and
velocity ratio of the arrangement.
(e) What assumptions have you made in parts
(c) and (d)?

Ans. (a) A and B are movable pulleys and C

is fixed pulley.
(b) In the figure
(c) L = 4T1, E = T1 T1 C
L T1 T1
(d) M.A. =
E
4T1 B
= T T2
1 A
M.A. = 4 T2
4d
V.R. = =4
d
(e) The pulleys A and B are weightless.

16. Draw a diagram of combination of three movable pulleys with a fixed pulley
showing the directions of load, effort and tension in each strand. Find mechanical
advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency of the combination in ideal situation.
Ans. Figure shows a system of three movable pulley A, B
and C used with a fixed pulley is attached with a
separate string. The tension is same in one string
but it is different in different strings. The two
segments of string passing over the pulley A
supports the load L, therefore tension T1 in this
T3 T3 T3
string is
given as :
L = 2T1 ........ (i)
T2 T2
Similarly, two segments of string passing over the
pulley B supports the tension T1, so tension T2 in
this strings is given as : T1 T1
L = 4T2 ......... (ii)
Similarly, the tension T3 in string passing over the
pulley C is given as :
L = 8T3 ......... (iii)

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In equilibrium, the tension T3 = effort E

L = 8E ......... (iv)
Load
M.A. = = 23 ........... (v)
Effort
If there are n movable pulleys with one fixed pulley, then mechanical advantage
(M.A.) = 2n
When an effort is moved by a distance of 8x, the load moves by a distance of x
3
Distance moved by the effort dE 2 x
Velocity ratio V.R. = Distance moved by the load dL = = 23 ......... (vi)
x
In ideal situation if there are n movable pulleys cinnected to a fixed pulley, then
V.R. = 2n
M.A. 2n
Hence, efficiency = = n = 1 or 100%
V.R. 2

17. Give reasons for the following :

(a) In a single fixed pulley, the velocity ratio is always more than the
mechanical advantage.
(b) The efficiency of a movable pulley is always less than 100%
(c) In case of a block and tackle arrangement, the mechanical advantage
increases with the increase in the number of pulleys.
(d) The lower block of block and tackle pulley system must be of negligible
weight.
Ans. (a) We know that incase of single fixed pulley, distance moved by If dE = d, dL = d
dE d
V.R. = d = =1
L d
L = T, E = T
Load T
M.A. = = = 1 In ideal conditions only.
Effort T
In actual practice effort needed is more than load,
M.A. is than 1 less
Hence V.R. > M.A.
(b) It is because:
(i) String is not perfectly elastic.
(ii) Pulley is not perfectly smooth and there is always friction between string
and pulley and in pulley bearings.
Load nT
(c) As M.A. = = = n (number of pulleys)
Effort T
(d) For greater efficiency, the pulleys in the lower block should be light as possible
and the friction in bearing of pulleys should minimised by the use of
lubricants.

18. Draw a diagram of a block and tackle system of pulleys having a velocity ratio
of 5. In your diagram indicate clearly the points of application and the directions
of the load and effort. Also mark the tension in each stand.

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Ans.

T
T
T
T T E
T

19. Name a machine which is used to :

(a) Multiply force (b) multiply speed (c) change the direction of force applied
Ans. (a) Single movable pulley
(b) (i) Fishing rod (lever of III order is speed multiplied)
(ii) Blade of a knife moves Longer by a small movement of handle.
(c) Fixed Pulley

20. State where the following statements are true or false.

(a) The velocity ratio of a single fixed pulley is always more than 1
(b) The velocity ratio of a single movable pulley is always 2.
(c) The velocity ratio of a combination of n movable pulley with fixed pulley
is always 2?
(d) The velocity ratio of a block and trackle system is always equal to the
number of strands of the tackle supporting the load.
Ans. (a) F (b) T (c) T (d) T

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. A single fixed pulley is used because it :

(a) Has a mechanical advantage greater than 1
(b) Has a velocity ratio less than 1
(c) Gives 100% efficiency
(d) Helps to apply the effort in a convenient direction
Ans. (d) Helps to apply the effort in a convenient direction.

2. The mechanical advantage of an ideal single movable pulley is :

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) less than 2 (d) less than 1
Ans. (b) 2

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3. A movable pulley is used as :

(a) force multiplier
(b) speed multiplier
(c) device to change the direction of effort
(d) an energy multiplier
Ans. (a) force multiplier

4. For greater efficiency of a block and tackle pulley system :

(a) The lower block should be of negligible weight
(b) The upper and lower blocks should be of equal weights
(c) The lower block should be heavier than the upper block
(d) The weight of rope should be equal to the weight of pulleys
Ans. (a) The lower block should be of negligible weight

NUMERICALS BASED ON PULLEYS

1. A women draws water from a well using a fixed pulley. The mass of bucket and
water together is 6kg. The force applied by the women is 70N. Calculate the
mechanical advantage. (Take g = 10 ms-2)
Ans. L = mg = 6 × 10 = 60 N, E = 70N
Load 60
M.A. = = = 0.875
Effort 70

2. A fixed pulley is driven by a 100kg mass falling at a rate of 8.0m in 4.0s to lift
a load of 75.0kgf. Calculate:
(a) the power input to the pulley taking the force of gravity on 1 kg as 10N
(b) the efficiency of the pulley
(c) The height to which the load is raised in 4.0s.
Ans. (a) Work input = mgh = 100 × 10 × 8 = 8000 J
8000
Power = =2000 W
4
M.A.
(b) Efficiency
V.R.
Load 75
Effort = 100 = M.A. = 3 = 0.75
V.R. 1 V.R. 4
(c) Height to which load is raised = 8m

3. In a block and tackle system consisting of 3 pulleys, a load of 75 kgf is raised

with an effort of 25kgf. Find (i) the mechanical advantage (ii) velocity ratio (iii)
efficiency.
Ans. n = 3, L = 75 kgf, E = 25kgf
L 75
M.A. = = =3
E 25
V.R. = n = 3
M.A. 3
Efficiency = 1 or 100%
V.R. 3
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4. A block and tackle system has 5 pulleys. If an effort of 1000 N is in the

downward direction to raise a load of 4500 N, calculate :
(i) The mechanical advantage
(ii) The velocity ratio
(iii) The efficiency of the system
Load 4500
Ans. (a) M.A. = 4.5
Effort 1000
(b) V.R. = n = 5
M.A. 4.5
(c) Efficiency = 100% 100% 90%
V.R. 5

5. In the figure draw a tackle to lift a load by applying

the force in the downward direction.
(a) Mark the position of load and effort.
(b) If the load is raised by 1m, through what
distance will the effort move?
(c) State number of strands of tackle of the
supporting the load?
(d) What is the mechanical advantage of the
system?

Ans. (a) As shown in the diagram.

(b) V.R. = n = 5

dE
V.R. =
dL
TT
T
dE T
5= T E
1
dE = 5m
(c) 5 stands are supporting the load.
Load nT
(d) M.A. of system = n 5
Effort T Load

6. A pulley system has a velocity ratio 3 and an efficiency of 80%. Calculate:

(a) The mechanical advantage of the system
(b) The effort required to raise a load of 300 N.
Ans. (a) V.R. = 3, Efficiency is 80%
M.A.
Efficiency =
V.R.
80 M.A.
=
100 3
M.A. = 2.4
(b) E = ?
Load 300
E= 125N
M.A. 2.4
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7. Figure given below shows a system of four pulleys. The

upper two pulleys are fixed and the lower two are
movable.
(a) Draw a string around the pulleys. Also show the place
and direction in which the effort is applied.
(b) What is the velocity ratio of the system?
(c) How are load and effort of the pulley system related?
(d) What assumption do you make in arriving at your
anwer in part (c)?

Ans. (a) Figure is drawn to show

direction of force applied.
(b) Velocity Ratio = n = 4
(c) Load = 4 × Effort T
(d) Assumption are :
(i) The e ffort is applie d
downward. T
(ii) Weight of lower block of T
pulleys is negligible, E
(iii) There is no friction in the
T
pulley bearings.

Load

8. Figure shows a block and tackle system of pulleys used

to lift a load.
(a) How many strands of tackle are supporting the load?
(b) Draw arrow to represent tension in each strands.
(c) What is the mechanical advantage of the system?
(d) When load is pulled up by a distance 1m, how far
does the effort end move?
(e) How much effort is needed to lift a load of 100 N ?

Ans. (a) Number of strands supporting the load = number of

pulleys = 4
(b) Tension in each strings is shown in the figure.
Load 4T
(c) M.A. = 4
Effort T
L = 4T and E = T
(d) If dL = d the dE = nd
If dL = 1m them dE = 4 × 1 = 4m

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FORMULAE AND RELATIONS

Formulae :-
L
M.A. =
E

dE VE
V.R. = =
dL VL

M.A.
= 100%
V.R
Input Energy = Work done by Effort = Effort × Disp. of effort

Output Energy = Work done by load = Load × Disp. of Load.

Levers
Effort Arm
M. A. =
Load Arm

Class I : -
L – F -E
Can have M.A.>1, M.A.<1, M.A. = 1

Class II : -
F – L –E
M.A.>1 (always)

Class III : -
F – E –L
M.A. < 1 (Always)

Units : -
M. A. = No. Unit
VR = No. Unit
L = E = newton = kgf
= No. unit

Relations : -
M. A. > 1 Force Multiplier V.R. > 1
M . A. < 1 Speed Multiplier V.R. < 1
M. A. = 1 Change in direction V.R. = 1

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PULLEY

Single Fixed Single Movable Combination Block and Tackle

M.A. = 1 M.A. = 2 *M.A. = 2n #
M.A. = n
V.R. = 1 V.R. = 2 *V.R. = 2n #
V.R. = n
= 100% = 100% = 100% = 100%

# Where ‘n’ is no. of pulleys. * Where ‘n’ is no. of Movable pulleys.

Assignment
Q.1. Solve the following
1. Give four functions of a machine.
2. What is the principle of a machine?
3. Define efficiency of a machine. Express it mathematically.
4. What is the efficiency of an ideal machine?
5. To which class of levers do the following belong?
(i) A physical balance (ix) Sugar tongs
(ii) A see-saw (x) A pair of scissors
(iii) An oar of a boat (xi) Wheel barrow
(iv) Human-arm (xii) Nut-cracker
(v) Pliers (xiii) Lemon crusher
(vi) A claw-hammer (xiv) Knife
(vii) Rowing of a boat (xv) Forearm used for lifting a load.
(viii) A fire tongs
6. Give two reasons why the efficiency of a single movable pulley system is not 100%.
7. A block and tackle pulley system has a velocity ratio 3.
(i) Draw a labelled diagram of this system. In your diagram, indicate clearly the
points of application and direction of the load and effort.
(ii) Why should the lower block of this pulley system be of negligible weight ?
8. A pair of scissors and a pair of pliers belong to the same class of levers.
(i) Which one has mechanical advantage less than one?
(ii) State the usefulness of such a machine whose mechanical advantage is less
than one
9. Show that the M.A. = 2 in case of single movable pulley.
10. Explain why scissors for cutting cloth may have blades much longer than the
handles; but shears for cutting metals have short blades and long handles.

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11. (i) With reference to the terms mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and
efficiency of a machine, name the term that will not change for a machine of
a given design.
(ii) Define the term stated by you in part(i).
12. (i) What is meant by an ideal machine ?
(ii) Write a relationship between the mechanical advantage (M.A.) and velocity
ratio (V.R.) of an ideal machine.
(iii) A coolie carrying a load on his head and moving on a frictionless horizontal
platform does no work. Explain the reason why.
13. There is no gain in mechanical advantage in the case of a single fixed pulley.
Explain why the pulley is then used.
14. State the two reasons, why the efficiency of a pulley system is not 100 percent.
15. What is velocity ratio? Express it mathematically.
16. What is a machine ?
17. Give one example each of class I lever where the mechanical advantage is (i) equal
to 1 and (ii) more than 1.
18. Give the definitions of Mechanical Advantage, Velocity Ratio and Efficiency of
machine. What is the relation between them ?
19. What is a pulley? What is the mechanical advantage of a single fixed pulley?
20. Why is mechanical advantage of a machine less than its velocity ratio?

Q.2. Solve the following

1. A woman draws water from a well using a fixed pulley. The mass of the bucket and
water together is 6.0 kg. The force applied by the woman is 70 N. Calculate the
mechanical advantage. (Take g = 10 ms–2)
2. The pulley system shown in figure is used to raise a 650 kgf object. What is the
mechanical advantage and what force is exerted ?

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3. The mechanical advantage of a machine is 5 and its efficiency is 80%. It is used

to lift a load of 200 kgf to a height of 20 m. Calculate: (i) the effort required, and
(ii) the work done on the machine (g = 10 ms–2).
4. A crowbar of length 100 cm is used to lift a load of 10 kgf. It has its fulcrum at a
distance of 25 cm from the load. Calculate
(i) the mechanical advantage of crowbar and
(ii) the effort applied at the other end.
5. In a single movable pulley system a load of 250 kgf is lifted by an effort of 150 kgf.
Find the percentage efficiency of system.
6. An effort of 6 kgf is applied on a machine through a displacement of 90 cm, when
a load of 100 kgf moves through a distance of 4 cm. Calculate:
(i) Velocity ratio.
(ii) M.A.
(iii) % age efficiency of machine.
(iv) Distance through which effort moves
7. A cook used a 'fire tong pair' of length 32 cm to lift a piece of burning coal of mass
500 g. If he applies his effort at a distance of 8 cm from the fulcrum, what is his
effort? Assume friction, etc. to be absent. Also obtain values of the M.A. and the
V.R. of this machine.
8. Find the mechanical advantage of a lever in which the load arm is 2 cm and the
effort arm is 30 cm.
9. State the class of lever to which each one of the following items belongs. Also give
the relative positions of load (L), effort (E) and fulcrum (F) in each case.
(i) See-saw (ii) Sugar-tongs (iii) Nut-cracker (iv) Scissors (v) Pliers

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