Question

Scissors for cutting cloth have blades that are longer than its handles; but shears for cutting metals have blades are shorter than its handles. This is because

• A. Both Scissors and shears are speed multipliers
• B. Scissors are speed multipliers and shears are force multipliers
• C. Both Scissors and shears are force multipliers
• D. Scissors are force multipliers and shears are speed multipliers

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Scissors are speed multipliers and shears are force multipliers

In case of cloth, the resistance is lesser. Hence the gain in distance/speed is preferred. In this case, mechanical advantage is less than 1.

In case of shears, a greater value of mechanical advantage is required to cut metals. So the handles need to be long and blades shorter.