What is a mechanical advantage?

The mechanical advantage is the term used to describe the amount of force that is internally used by some mechanical device. Allows the device to perform the task for which it has been designed. This principle uses many common tools that are used in the home and construction.

One of the best ways to understand this idea is to consider a simple action that takes place between a screwdriver and a screw. The force is developed onto a screwdriver, causing the tool body to rotate and push the screw into a surface such as a wooden block. The combination of rotary force and forward movement allows the screwdriver to use the mechanical advantage to secure the screw to the medium.

Another example has to do with the use of overwhelming machines. Mechanisms of this type use two flat surfaces. Between these two surfaces there is an object and by simple hydraulic action is the upper surface of the spanning towards the lower surface. As it approaches, the factor of the mechanical advantage allowsTo deny the volume of the object into a smaller space.

It is generally understood that there are two different concepts of this principle. The first is known as the ideal mechanical advantage, usually referred to as IMA, and this is related to the creation and function of the ideal machine. Because there is no really ideal machine at present, the concept remains theoretical, but is useful in the execution of calculations.

The second is known as a real mechanical advantage or AMA and deals with the use of real machines that work in the physical world. Here, when calculating the speed, mechanical advantage is taken into account by such work factors as the amount of energy that is lost due to the friction generated during the task.