A machine has an efficiency of 60%. If the machine is required to overcome a load of 30 N with a force of 20 N calculate its mechanical advantage?
Answer Details
The efficiency of a machine is defined as the ratio of output work to input work. It is given as:
Efficiency = (Output work / Input work) x 100%
If the machine has an efficiency of 60%, it means that only 60% of the input work is converted into useful output work, while the remaining 40% is lost as heat, sound, or other forms of energy.
The mechanical advantage of a machine is defined as the ratio of the output force to the input force. It is given as:
Mechanical Advantage = Output Force / Input Force
If the machine is required to overcome a load of 30 N with a force of 20 N, then the output force is 30 N and the input force is 20 N. Therefore, the mechanical advantage is:
Mechanical Advantage = Output Force / Input Force = 30 N / 20 N = 1.5
Thus, the mechanical advantage of the machine is 1.5.