Understanding Simple Machines: Pulleys & Inclined Planes
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsUnderstanding Simple Machines: Pulleys & Inclined Planes
Translated by
ScribdTranslations3BC - LRSL Mechanics 18
4 Simple Machines
A machine is the simplest mechanical device that serves to simplify the accomplishment.
of physical work, for example lifting a load. It consists of elements
simple as wheels, ropes, pulleys, boards, levers, ... These ma-
Chinese is one of the most important inventions of man.
Nous allons étudier en détail lespoulieset leplan incliné. Ces machines simples seront
used to lift from a heightha weight loadP .
Without the use of machines, a force must be [Link] and opposite to the weight of
the load (see figure 19a). The interest of a simple machine is therefore to change one or
several properties of the force to be applied.
4.1 Pulleys
A pulley is a wheel equipped with a groove that receives a rope, a chain, or a
belt. Depending on its use, there is a fixed pulley and a movable pulley.
4.1.1 Fixed pulley
The simplest way to use a pulley is to attach it to a support (figure 19b).
pulley
F
h
charge s
F h
P charge
(a) Without a simple machine (b) Using a fixed pulley
Figure 19 - Lifting a load of weightP
One observes that the forceFto be applied at the end of the rope with the same intensity as
the weight of the load:
F=P
3BC - LRSL Mechanics 19
To raise the load to a heighth, we need to move the point of application of the
forceFof a distances equal to the height:
s= h
Conclusion:
A fixed pulley is used to change the direction of the force to be applied, but it does not
it doesn't change its intensity!
Often, it is much more practical to be able to pull down to lift a load.
4.1.2 Moveable pulley
Another way to use a pulley is to attach it to the load (figure 20). One end
One end of the rope is fixed to a support, the other is pulled vertically upwards.
s
F
Figure 20 – Lifting using a movable pulley
It is observed that the intensity of the forceFto be applied to the end of the rope is equal to
half the weight of the load:
P
F=
2
To lift the load to a heighthwe need to move the application point of the
forceF from a distancesequal to twice the height:
s= 2h
Conclusion:
A movable pulley does not change either the direction or the magnitude of the force to be applied.
but it allows to reduce its intensity by half!
3BC - LRSL Mechanics 20
Note: the above conclusion is only valid if the weight of the pulley is negligible.
in front of the weight of the load. If its weight is not negligible, it must be added to
weight of the load.
Exercise 4.1 Use the equilibrium conditions to determine the intensity of the force at
apply.
4.1.3 Pulley
One can combine a fixed pulley with a movable pulley to change both the direction and
the intensity of the force (figure 21). Such a device is called a hoist.
F s
Figure 21 - The simplest hoist
In general, a hoist is a mechanical device consisting of two groups, one fixed,
the other movable, each containing an arbitrary number of pulleys, and a rope that them
relief. Figure 22 shows examples of pulleys.
To determine the intensity of the force to be applied and the displacement of its point of application
application, it is enough to determine the numberNstrands of the rope that bear the load.
As the tension in the rope is the same everywhere (neglecting its own weight),
each strand carries aN -th of the weight of the load. This same force must be applied
at the end of the rope:
P
F=
N
When the load rises to a heighth, each of the Nstrands of the rope are shortened
ofhthat is to say that a total length of rope ofN hThe forceFis
so applied on the distance:
s= N h
3BC - LRSL Mechanics 21
Figure 22 - Examples of plans
Note: if the strand of rope on which the force is appliedFwraps around a
fixed pulley, it is not part of the strands that carry the load!
4.2 Inclined plane
To lift a load, one can also use an inclined plane, for example a
a ramp or an ascending road. To be effective, the friction between the plane and the body
must be weak, for example by using wheels. In the following, we will assume
that the forces of friction are negligible.
R F R
F
PT
h PN
s
P P
a) Assessment of forces (b) Decomposition
Figure 23 - A body is moved on an inclined plane
To raise the body to a heighthWe use an inclined plane of a length
sgreater than the height (see figure 23a). By introducing the angleα between the plan and
3BC - LRSL Mechanics 22
horizontally, we can write:
h h
sinα = ⇒ s= .
s sinα
To determine the intensity of the forceF to apply, we will break down the weight of the
body following the directions parallel and perpendicular to the plane (figure 23b).
Assuming that the body is moved at a constant speed, we can apply the
equilibrium condition:
F= −PT⇒ F= P· withoutα.
One can reduce the force by decreasing the inclination of the plane. However, a reduction of
The incline implies an increase in the distance over which the force is applied.
4.3 Exercises
Exercise 4.2 A student (29 kg) lifts her gym teacher (62 kg) using a pulley.
consisting of two fixed pulleys and two movable pulleys.
What force should the student apply in the case of an 'ideal' pulley?
2. In reality, the required force is higher than the theoretical force. Why?
Exercise 4.3 What force must be applied to keep the 10 kg load in balance
(figures 7 and 8 below) ?
Exercise 4.4 In a repair shop, a 90 kg engine is lifted using a
pulley. This pulley consists of two fixed pulleys and two movable pulleys. Each
The pulley has a mass of 2 kg.
There are two ways to wind the rope: either we fix one end to the ceiling, or
We fix it to the movable pulleys. Create a diagram for each case.
Which of the two devices is more practical?
3. How many strands of rope is the load distributed over?
4. What force must be applied to lift the engine?
5. How much rope do you need to pull to lift the engine by 2 m?
3BC - LRSL Mechanics 23
6. Determine the force applied to the hook that holds the hoist.
Exercise 4.5 A box is lifted using different pulleys. The load, including
the movable pulleys, with a mass of 120 kg.
On mesure les forces de traction : (1) 600 N, (2) 400 N, (3) 300 N, (4) 200 N.
1. On how many strands of rope is the load distributed in each case? Draw.
the four hoists.
2. We lower the box by 1 m. How many meters of rope should we let go?