It is the factor by which a mechanism multiplies the force put into it.

It is the factor by which a mechanism multiplies the force put into it.

• A. Factor of safety
• B. Mechanical factor
• C. Mechanical advantage
• D. Mechanical coefficient

Answer: (C)

Mechanical advantage is the factor by which a mechanism multiplies the input force. It is the ratio of the output force to the input force, so when MA is greater than one, a small effort can lift or move a larger load. In ideal machines, this ratio equals the velocity ratio, and in real machines efficiency also plays a role, reducing the actual amplification. The factor of safety, by contrast, concerns strength versus allowable load and does not describe how force is amplified, while the other terms do not capture this force-multiplying concept.

Mechanical advantage is the factor by which a mechanism multiplies the input force. It is the ratio of the output force to the input force, so when MA is greater than one, a small effort can lift or move a larger load. In ideal machines, this ratio equals the velocity ratio, and in real machines efficiency also plays a role, reducing the actual amplification. The factor of safety, by contrast, concerns strength versus allowable load and does not describe how force is amplified, while the other terms do not capture this force-multiplying concept.