Simple Machine

Subject :- Engineering Mechanics

Unit 5
Simple Machine

ELECTRO-THEROPY
Make a World, Difference.

By-
Rajkamal Ghorai (DEE-2013) (7278840303)

Tufan Pal (DEIE-2015) (9002554366)

Anup Kr. Dutta (DEE-2017) (8337850463)

ELECTRO-THEROPY 1
 Simple Machine

 Machine: - A device which is capable of doing useful work is known as machine.

The machine which are used to lift the loads are known as lifting machines. The force required to
raise the heavy load is much smaller in lifting machine. Generally machines are two types:

1. Simple machine
2. Compound machine

1. Simple machine: - A simple machine is a device in which an external force is applied at a point in
order to overcome a resistance at other point.
So in a lifting machine the load lifted acts as a "resistance". The external force applied to a lifting
machine is called "effort" and it is denoted by 'P' and the weight lifted is called "load" and is denoted by
'W'.
Example: - Simple screw jack, lever, inclined plane etc.

2. Compound machine: - A compound machine is a device in which some external force is applied at
different point in order to overcome the resistance at some other different point.
Example: - Lathe machine, milling machine etc.

 Load: - Any weight which is lifted by a machine is known as load.

It is denoted by 'W'.

 Effort: - It is the force required by a machine to lift the load or to displace the load.
It is denoted by 'P'.

 Mechanical Advantage (M.A.): - It is the ratio of the weight lifted (W) to the effort applied (P) and
is always expressed in pure number.
Load W
Mathematically, M.A. = =
Effort P

Usually W > P to get mechanical advantage and its value is more than unity or if W < P we get
mechanical loss and its value is less than unity
.
 Velocity Ratio (V.R.): - It is the ratio of the distance (y) moved by the effort to the distance (x) moved
by the load.
Distance moved by effort Y
Mathematically, V.R. = =
Distance moved by load X

 Input of a Machine: - It is the work done on the machine and measured by the product of effort and
the distance through which it has moved.
Input = Effort x distance moved by effort
= PxY

 Output of a Machine: - It is the actual work done by the machine and measured by the product of the
weight lifted and the distance through which it has been lifted.

Output = load x distance moved by load.

= W x X.

ELECTRO-THEROPY 2
 Simple Machine

 Efficiency of a Machine: - It is the ratio of output work to the input work of a machine.
Output WxX
Efficiency (𝜂) = =
Input PxY

WxX
In is generally expressed in percentage, 𝜂= x 100
PxY
However, output work is always less than input work because a part of the work done is lost to
overcome machine friction.

 Ideal machine: - If the efficiency of a machine is 100% i.e output is equal to input then the machine is
called an ideal machine.
In other words, when a machine is absolutely free from frictional resistance then the machine is called
ideal machine.
When, 𝜂 = 100%
Output
∴ 𝜂=
Input

Or, Output = Input

Or, WxX=PxY
W Y
Or, =X
P

Or, M.A. = V.R.

 Ideal load: - The load that can be lifted with the given effort by an ideal machine is known as ideal load.
 Ideal effort: - The effort required to lift the load by an ideal machine is known as ideal effort.
 Machine friction: - In practice, every machine has some amount of friction between its moving
parts. This friction is known as machine friction.
This machine friction can be expressed in terms of effort (P) or in terms of load (W). If it is
expressed in terms of effort (P), then extra effort is required to overcome the machine friction. If it
is expressed in terms of load (W), then extra load to be considered due to machine friction.

 Frictional effort: - Loss of effort due to friction is called frictional effort.

 Frictional load: - Loss or decrease of load due to friction is called frictional load.
 Law of machine: - The law of a means the relationship between the load and effort applied.
The general law of machine is given by the equation of straight line, i.e. P = mW + C
Where, P = effort required to lift a load W
m = A constant which is equal to the slope of straight line
C = another constant which represents the machine
friction
Thus for any machine, if we record various effort required to
raise the corresponding load and plot these values in graph paper by
load vs effort, then we get a straight line AB as shown in fig.

ELECTRO-THEROPY 3
 Simple Machine

 Maximum mechanical advantage of a machine: -

𝑊
We know, mechanical advantage of a lifting machine = 𝑃
Where, W = load lifted
P = effort applied to lift the load W
From law of machine, P = mW + C
Where, W = load lifted
P = effort applied to lift the load W
m & C are two separate constant.
𝑊
∴ M.A. =
𝑃
Substituting the value of P in the above expression
𝑊
M.A. =
mW + C
Dividing the numerator and denominator by W,
1
We get, M.A. = 𝐶
m+𝑊
𝐶
From the above expression it is clear that with increasing W, P will increase. Thus the quantity of 𝑊
becomes neglected.
𝟏
𝑴. 𝑨.𝒎𝒂𝒙 =
𝒎

 Maximum efficiency of a machine: -

M.A.
We know, efficiency (𝜂) =
V.R.

W
Or, 𝜂 =
P x V.R.

W
Or, 𝜂 =
V.R.(mW + C)

W
Dividing the numerator and denominator by W, we get, 𝜂 = 𝐶
V.R.(m + 𝑊)
1
Neglecting the value of C/W, then we get, 𝜂𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
m x V.R.
This equation represents a hyperbolic nature. The load vs efficiency graph will be as shown in fig.

 Reversibility of a machine: - Sometimes, a machine is also capable of doing some work in the
reversed direction, after the effort is removed. Such a machine is called a reversible machine and its action
is known as reversibility of the machine.

 Condition for the reversibility of a machine : - Consider a reversible machine, whose condition
for the reversibility is required to be found out.

Let W = Load lifted by the machine

P = Effort required to lift the load
Y = Distance moved by the effort
X = Distance moved by the load

We know that input of the machine = P x Y

And output of the machine =WxX

ELECTRO-THEROPY 4
 Simple Machine

We also know that machine friction = Input – Output = (P x Y) – (W x X)

A little consideration will show that in a reversible machine, the output of the machine should be more
than the machine friction, when the effort (P) is zero. i.e.,

WxX>PxY–WxX

Or, 2W x X > P x Y

WxX 1
Or, >
PxY 2

𝑊⁄ 1
𝑃
Or, 𝑌⁄ >
𝑋 2

M.A. 1 𝑊 𝑌
Or, > (∵ = 𝑀. 𝐴. 𝑎𝑛𝑑 = 𝑉. 𝑅. )
V.R. 2 𝑃 𝑋

1
∴ 𝜂> = 0.5 = 50%
2
Hence the condition for a machine, to be reversible, is that its efficiency should be more than 50%.

 Self-locking machine: - Sometimes, a machine is not capable of doing any work in the reversed
direction, after the effort is removed. Such a machine is called a non-reversible or self-locking machine.
A little consideration will show, that the condition for a machine to be non-reversible or self-locking
is that its efficiency should not be more than 50%.

 Study of Simple machine: - These days, there are many types of lifting machines which are
available in the market. But the basic principle, on which all these machines are based, is the same. It will
be interesting to know that engineers who have designed (or invented) these machines have tried to
increase the velocity ratio of their respective lifting machines. A little consideration will show, that if the
efficiency of a machine remains almost the same, then increase in the velocity ratio must increase its
mechanical advantage. The increased mechanical advantage, of a machine, means the application of a
smaller force to lift the same load or to lift a heavier load with the application of the same force. The
following lifting machines, which are important from the subject point of View, will be discussed in the
following pages:
1. Simple wheel and axle
2. Differential wheel and axle
3. Weston’s differential pulley block
4. Single purchase crab winch
5. Double purchase crab winch
6. Worm and worm wheel
7. Geared pulley block
8. Simple screw jack
9. Differential screw jack
10. Pulleys: a. First system of pulleys
b. Second system of pulleys
c. Third system of pulleys

ELECTRO-THEROPY 5
 Simple Machine

1) Simple wheel and axle: - In Fig. is shown a simple wheel and axle, in which the wheel A and axle B
are keyed to the same shaft. The shaft is mounted on ball bearings, order to reduce the frictional resistance
to a minimum. A string is wound round the axle B, which carries the load to be lifted. A second string is
wound round the wheel A in the opposite direction to that of the string on B.

Let D = Diameter of effort wheel,

d = Diameter of the load axle
W = Load lifted
P = Effort applied to lift the load

One end of the string is fixed to the wheel, while the other is free and the effort is applied to this end.
Since the two strings are wound in opposite directions, therefore a downward motion of the effort (P) will
raise the load (W).

Since the wheel as well as the axle are keyed to the same shaft, therefore when the wheel rotates
through one revolution, the axle will also rotate through one revolution. We know that displacement of the
effort in one revolution of effort wheel A, = 𝜋D

And displacement of the load in one revolution = 𝜋d

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝜋D D

∴ V.R. = = 𝜋d = d
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑

𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑑 W
Now M.A. = =
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 P

M.A.
And 𝜂=
V.R.

2) Differential wheel and axle: - It is an improved form of simple wheel and axle, in which the velocity
ratio is intensified with the help of load axle. In fig. is shown a differential wheel and axle. In this case,
the load axle BC is made up of two parts of different diameters. Like simple wheel and axle, the wheel A,
and the axles B and C are keyed to the same shaft, which is mounted on ball bearings in order to reduce
the frictional resistance to a minimum.

The effort string is wound round the wheel A. Another string wound round the axle B, which after
passing round the pulley (to which the weight W is attached) is wound round the axle C in opposite
direction to that of the axle B, care being taken to wind the string on the wheel A and axle C in the same
direction. As a result of this, when the string unwinds from the wheel A, the other string also
unwinds from the axle C. But it winds on the axle B as shown in Fig.

ELECTRO-THEROPY 6
 Simple Machine

Let D = Diameter of the effort wheel A

d1 = Diameter of the axle B
d2 = Diameter of the axle C
W = Weight lifted by the machine
P = Effort applied to lift the weight.

We know that displacement of the effort in one revolution of effort wheel A = 𝜋𝐷

∴ Length of string, which will wound on axle B in one revolution = 𝜋d1

And length of string, which will unwound from axle C in one revolution = 𝜋d2

∴ Length of string which will wound in one revolution = 𝜋d1 - 𝜋d2 = 𝜋(d1 - d2)
1 𝜋
And displacement of the weight = 2 x 𝜋(d1 - d2) = 2 (d1 - d2)

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝜋𝐷 2𝐷

∴ V.R. = =𝜋 = (𝑑
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 2
(𝑑1 − 𝑑2 ) 1 − 𝑑2 )

𝑊
Now M.A. = 𝑃

𝑀.𝐴.
And efficiency, 𝜂= 𝑉.𝑅.

3) Weston’s differential pulley block: - It consists of two blocks A and

B. The upper block A has two pulley (P1 and P2) its diameter a little larger
than that of the other. The Pulleys turn together as one pulley, i.e., both of
them behave as one pulley with two grooves. The lower block B also carries
a pulley, to which the load W is attached.

An endless (i.e., a continuous) chain passes round the pulleys then round
the lower block pulley and finally round the pulley P2 (i.e. , smaller of the
upper pulleys). The remaining chain hangs slack and is joined to the first
portion of the chain as shown in Fig.

The effort P is applied to the chain passing over the pulley Pl (i.e., larger
of upper pulleys) as shown in Fig. To prevent the chain from slipping,
projection are provided in the grooves of both the upper pulleys.

ELECTRO-THEROPY 7
 Simple Machine

Let D = Diameter of the pulley P1

D = Diameter of the pulley P2
W = Weight lifted
P = Effort applied to lift the weight

We know that displacement of the effort in one revolution of the upper pulley block = 𝜋D

This is also equal to the length of the chain pulled over the larger pulley. Since the smaller pulley also
turns with the larger one, therefore length of the chain released by the smaller pulley = 𝜋d

∴ Net shortening of the chain = 𝜋D - 𝜋d = 𝜋(D - d)

This shortening of chain will be equally divided between the two portions of the chain, supporting the
load. Therefore distance through which the load will move up
1 𝜋
= 2 x 𝜋(D – d) = 2 (D – d)

1 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝜋𝐷 2𝐷

∴ V.R. = =𝜋 = (D − d)
2 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 (D − d)
2

𝑊
Now M.A. = 𝑃

𝑀.𝐴.
And efficiency, 𝜂= 𝑉.𝑅.

4) Single purchase crab winch: - In single

purchase crab winch, a rope is fixed to the drum
and is wound a few turns round it. The free end
of the rope carries the load W. A toothed wheel
A is rigidly mounted on the load drum. Another
toothed wheel B, called pinion, is geared with
the toothed wheel A as shown in Fig.

The effort is applied at the end of the handle

to rotate it.

Let T1 = No. of teeth on the main gear

(or spur wheel) A
T2 = No. of teeth on the pinion B
l = Length of the handle
r = Radius of the load drum
W = Load lifted
P = Effort applied to lift the load

We know that distance moved by the effort in one revolution of the handle = 2𝜋l

∴ No. of revolutions made by the pinion B = 1

𝑇
And no. of revolutions made by the wheel A = 𝑇2
1

𝑇
∴ No. of revolutions by made by the load drum = 𝑇2
1

ELECTRO-THEROPY 8
 Simple Machine

𝑇2
And distance moved by the load = 2𝜋r x
𝑇1

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 2𝜋𝑙 1 𝑇

∴ V.R. = = 𝑇 = r x 𝑇1
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 2𝜋r x 2 2
𝑇1

𝑊
Now M.A. = 𝑃

𝑀.𝐴.
And efficiency, 𝜂=
𝑉.𝑅.

6) Double purchase crab winch: - A double purchase crab winch is an improved form of a single
purchase crab winch, in which the velocity ratio
is intensified with the help of one more spur
wheel and a pinion. In a double purchase crab
winch, there are two spur wheels of teeth T1 and
T2 and T3 as well as two pinions of teeth T2 and
T4.

The arrangement of spur wheels and pinions

are such that the spur wheel with T1 gears with
the pinion of teeth T2. Similarly, the spur wheel
with teeth T3 gears with the pinion of the teeth T4,
The effort is applied to a handle as shown in Fig.

Let T1 and T3 = No. of teeth of spur wheels

T2 and T4 = No. of teeth of the pinions
l = Length of the handle
r = Radius of the load drum
W = Load lifted
P = Effort applied to lift the load, at the end of the handle.

We know that distance moved by the effort in one revolution of the handle = 2𝜋l

∴ No. of revolutions made by the pinion 4 = 1

𝑇
And no. of revolutions made by the wheel = 𝑇4
3

𝑇
∴ No. of revolutions made by the pinion 2 = 𝑇4
3

𝑇 𝑇
And no. of revolutions made by the wheel 1 = 𝑇2 x 𝑇4
1 3

𝑇 𝑇
∴ Distance moved by the load = 2𝜋𝑟 x 𝑇2 x 𝑇4
1 3

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 2𝜋𝑙 1 𝑇 𝑇

∴ V.R. = = 𝑇 𝑇 = r (𝑇1 x 𝑇3 )
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 2𝜋𝑟 x 2x 4 2 4
𝑇1 𝑇3

𝑊
Now M.A. =
𝑃

𝑀.𝐴.
And efficiency, 𝜂= 𝑉.𝑅.

ELECTRO-THEROPY 9
 Simple Machine

7) Worm and worm wheel: - It consists of a square threaded screw, S (known as worm) and a toothed
wheel (known as worm wheel) geared with each other, as shown in Fig. A wheel A is attached to the
worm, over which passes a rope as shown in the figure. Sometimes, a handle is also fixed to the worm
(instead of the wheel). A load drum is securely mounted on the worm wheel.

Let D = Diameter of the effort wheel

r = Radius of the load drum
W = Load lifted
P = Effort applied to lift the load
T = No. of teeth on the worm wheel

We know that distance moved by the effort in one revolution of the wheel (or handle) = 𝜋D

If the worm is single-threaded (i.e., for one revolution of the wheel A, the screw S pushes the worm
1
wheel through one teeth), then the load drum will move through = 𝑇 revolution

2𝜋𝑟
And distance, through which the load will move = 𝑇

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝜋𝐷 𝐷𝑇

∴ V.R. = = 2𝜋𝑟 =
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑇
2r

𝑊
Now M.A. = 𝑃

𝑀.𝐴.
And efficiency, 𝜂=
𝑉.𝑅.

8) Simple screw jack: - It consists of a screw, fitted in a nut

which forms the body of the jack. The principle, on which a screw
jack works, is similar to that of an inclined plane.

Fig. shows a simple screw jack, which is rotated by the

application of an effort at the end of the lever, for lifting the load.
Now consider a single threaded simple screw jack.

Let l = Length of the effort arm

p = Pitch of the screw
W = Load lifted
P = Effort applied to lift the load at the end of the lever

We know that distance moved by the effort in one revolution of screw = 2𝜋l

And distance moved by the load = p

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 2𝜋𝑙

∴ V.R. = =
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑝

W
Now M.A. =
P

M.A.
And efficiency, 𝜂=
V.R.

ELECTRO-THEROPY 10
 Simple Machine

10) Pulleys: - A pulley is a metallic or wooden wheel which is capable of

rotation about its axis. From ancient days pulleys are used to lift water from
the well.

Generally pulleys are two types (i) Fixed pulley Fig. (a)
(ii) Movable pulley Fig. (b)

(i) Fixed pulley: The pulley which is supported by the block or axle is
called the fixed pulley.

(ii) Movable pulley: A movable pulley change being done.

Assumption made for analysing a pulley arrangement are –

a. The weight of the pulley is small in. compared to the weight to be lifted.
Hence the weight of pulley is neglected.

b. The periphery of the pulley is smooth, so the tension of the rope or string
passing around the periphery of the pulley is same throughout.

 Systems of Pulleys: -There are various systems of pulley are employed as to obtain greater values of
mechanical advantage.

There are essentially three systems of pulleys (a) First system of pulleys
(b) Second system of pulleys
(c) Third system of pulleys.

(a) First system or pulleys: - In Fig. is shown the first system of

pulleys. In this system, the pulleys are so arranged that there are as many
strings as there are pulleys. The end of each string is fastened to a rigid
ceiling; while the other end passing round the bottom periphery of the
pulley, is fastened to the next higher pulley.
The load is attached to the bottom-most pulley, whereas the effort is
applied to the far end of the string passing round the last pulley. Another
pulley (no. 5) is used just to change the direction of the effort.
The velocity ratio of the system may be obtained by considering a
unit motion of the load. In this case, let the weight W be raised by x
metres. Since the loads is supported on both sides of the string, thus this
slackness of x metres will have to be taken up by the pulley 2. If the
relative position of the pulley 2, with respect to the pulley 1, is to remain
undisturbed, then the pulley 2 should move upwards through a distance
of 2x metres.
Now this upward movement of pulley 2 through a distance of 2x
metres will cause a total slackness of 2 x (2x) = 22x metres in the string,
which has to be taken up by the pulley 3. Thus the pulley 3 should move
upwards through a distance of 22x metres, thus causing a slackness of 2
x (22x) = 23x in the string passing round the pulley 4. Thus the pulley 4
should move upwards through a distance of 23x metres causing a slackness of 2 x (23x) = 24x meters, which
must be taken up by the free end of the string to which the effort is applied. The effort must move through
a distance of 24x metres. Fig.
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡
∴ V.R. =
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑

ELECTRO-THEROPY 11
 Simple Machine

Thus, in general, is there are n pulley in the system, then V.R. = 2n

W
Now M.A. =
P

M.A.
And efficiency, 𝜂=
V.R.

(b) Second system of pulleys: - In Fig. (a) and (b) is shown second system of pulleys containing two
blocks, one upper and the other lower, both carrying either equal number of pulleys or the upper block
may have one pulley more than the lower one.

In both the cases, the upper block is fixed and the lower
one is movable. There is any one string, which passes round
all the pulleys one end of which is fixed to the upper block
(when both the blocks have the same no. of pulleys) or to the
lower block (when the upper block has one pulley more than
the lower one). The other end of the string is free and the
effort is applied to this free end as shown in Fig. (a) and (b).
In both the cases the load is attached to lower block.

A little consideration will show, that for x displacement

of the weight, the effort will move through a distance to nx,
where n is the number of pulleys in both the blocks. Thus
velocity ratio
𝑛𝑥
V.R. = =n
𝑥
𝑊
Now M.A. =
𝑃

𝑀.𝐴.
And efficiency, 𝜂=
𝑉.𝑅.

(c) Third system of pulleys: - In Fig., is shown a third system of pulleys.

In this system, like the first system of pulleys, the pulleys are arranged in
such a way that there are as many strings as there are pulleys. One end of
each string is fixed to a block B - B, to which the load is attached. The other
end of each string, passing round the upper periphery of the pulley, is
fastened to the next lower pulley as shown in Fig.

The velocity ratio, of the system, may be obtained by considering a unit

motion of the load. In this case, let the weight W be raised by x metres. Since
the load is supported on all the strings, therefore all the strings will be
slackened by x metres.

Now consider the pulley 1, which is fixed to the ceiling. The slackness
of string S1 equal to x metres will have to be taken up by the pulley 2, which
should come down through a distance of 2x metres. But as the string S2 also
slacks by x metres, therefore the string S1 will be pulled through a distance
of (2x - x) = x metre. Now consider the pulley 2. As the string S1 has been
pulled through a distance x metres, therefore the string S2 will be pulled
through a distance of 2x + x = 3x = (22 - 1)x. Similarly, in order to keep the
relative position of the pulley 3 undisturbed, the string S3 will be pulled

ELECTRO-THEROPY 12
 Simple Machine

through a distance of (2 x 3x + x) = 7x = (23 - 1)x and the string S4 i.e., effort will be pulled through a
distance of (2 x 7x + x) = 15x = (24 -l) x.

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡 (24 −1)𝑥

∴ V.R. = = = (24 − 1)
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑥

Thus, in general, is there are n pulley in the system, then V.R. = 2n - 1

W
Now M.A. =
P

M.A.
And efficiency, 𝜂=
V.R.

ELECTRO-THEROPY 13