Question

The diagram below shows a fixed pulley used by a boy to lift a load of 400 N. The effort applied by the boy on the other end of the rope is 480 N. What is the mechanical advantage?

480 N 400 N

• A. Downward direction
• B. Upward direction
• C. Both the direction
• D. Can be any random direction

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Upward direction

Given, load (L) = 400 N and effort (E) = 480 N.

Mechanical advantage is defined as the ratio of load raised to the effort applied i.e.,

Mechanical advantage (MA) = $\frac{\text{Load (L)}}{\text{Effort (E)}}$
$\Rightarrow$ MA = $\frac{400}{480}$ = 0.8333