Mechanical Advantage
Mechanical advantage (MA): MA = output force / input force. How many times a machine multiplies your force.
All simple machines conserve energy (ideally): what you gain in force you lose in distance — and vice versa.
- MA > 1: force is multiplied (trade: push a longer distance)
- MA = 1: no force gain (just changes direction)
- MA < 1: less force output, but you gain speed or distance
Efficiency: Real machines lose energy to friction. Efficiency (%) = useful work out / work in × 100.