What data are needed to calculate the actual mechanical advantage of a machine? efficiency and force of friction input distance and output distance work input and work output input force and output force
Mechanical advantage of a machine is the number of times that the machine increases an input force.
Actual mechanical advantage is equal to the ratio of the output of force to the input of force
.
ideal mechanical advantage is the mechanical advantage take place in the absence of friction. ideal mechanical advantage = input distance/output distance
Because friction is always present, the actual mechanical advantage is always less than the ideal mechanical advantage
.