Mechanical Advantage Formula

Mechanical advantage formula

The form of calculation that allows the measurement of amplified force taken by the mechanical system is called mechanical advantage. The amount of energy that transfers when a body is moved with the help of an external force propagated in the direction of displacement is called work.

The work done can be expressed as the product of displacement or distance and force. Mechanical Advantage means the ratio of input force to output force. The ratio between the force applied to the load and the force needed to overcome the given force is expressed by mechanical advantage. Since the two ratio quantities are the force, it is a unitless expression. Mechanical advantage is also defined as the force created by the machine to the for applied to it. 

The formula of mechanical advantage is given as:

M_A = F_B/F_A

Wherein,

M_A is the mechanical advantage,

F_B = force of the object and

F_A = It is the effort to overcome the force of the object.

Let us take some examples of the Mechanical advantage formula:

1) If 400 N force is needed to overcome the load of 900 N, then estimate the mechanical advantage

Solution:

F_A = 400 N

F_B = 900 N

The formula of mechanical advantage as given

M_A = F_B / F_A

M_A = 900 / 400

M_A = 2.25

2. If a force of 500 N is required to overcome a machine force of 1000 N then calculate the mechanical advantage

Solution:

We have,

F_B = 1000

F_A = 500

Using the formula we get,

M_A = F_B/F_A

     = 1000/500

     = 2