Question

Define ideal mechanical advantage with reference to a machine?

Answer 1

Mechanical advantage

Mechanical advantage literally means advantage given by the machine, in terms of effort applied, and load lifted by it.

Mechanical advantage is classified into two classes

1. Ideal mechanical advantage
2. Actual mechanical advantage

Ideal mechanical advantage:

The ratio between total load moved (or resistance overcome) to the effort applied is called the Ideal mechanical advantage.

If ‘L’ is the total load, ‘E’ is effort such that ‘l’ is the useful load and ‘x’ is the load due to friction and movable parts of the machine then :

$IMA=\frac{L}{E},whereL=l+x$