Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage

This site details how simple machines create a mechanical advantage for humans. Levers, theoretical mechanical advantage, actual mechanical advantage, and pulley systems are discussed.

Students identify six different simple machines. They investigate the difference between the ideal and actual mechanical advantage. Students calculate the actual mechanical advantage for several simple machines.

The world of compliant mechanisms is only limited by the imagination! The video lesson begins with a comparison between traditional machines and compliant mechanisms. The scientists then explain the advantage of having flexible, bendable...

Sometimes simple machines don't seem so...simple. The video lesson explains the principles of simple machines. Viewers also discover the concept of mechanical advantage and how it affects the forces related to simple machines. 

Explains the relationship between force and mechanical advantage with diagrams, examples and calculations.

Describes how pulley systems are used in the real world, including the role of the mechanical advantage in selecting the proper pulley system.

From a chapter on Statics and Torque in a Physics textbook. This section of the chapter discusses the different types of simple machines and how to calculate their mechanical advantage. Includes questions, problems and exercises.

Introduction to simple machines, mechanical advantage and moments. [10:02]

Introduction to the mechanical advantage of pulleys and wedges. [10:35]

More on mechanical advantage, levers and moments.