ICSEClass XPhysicsMachines03 Mark2026 Moderate

QQuestion

To lift a load of 30 kgf, Suhas uses a single fixed pulley while Radha uses a single movable pulley. The displacement of efforts in both cases is equal. In an ideal situation calculate the ratio of:

(a) the efforts in the two cases.

(b) the potential energy gained by the loads in the two cases.

(c) the efficiencies in the two cases.

Exam-ready answer 03 Mark

Answer

Given,

Load = 30 kgf

(a) Mechanical advantage (MA) of a machine is:

\mathrm{MA}=\frac{\mathrm{Load}}{\mathrm{Effort}}

For a single fixed pulley, MA = 1.

\mathrm{E_1}=\frac{\mathrm{Load}}{\mathrm{MA}}=\frac{30}{1}=30\ \mathrm{kgf}

For a single movable pulley, MA = 2.

\mathrm{E_2}=\frac{\mathrm{Load}}{\mathrm{MA}}=\frac{30}{2}=15\ \mathrm{kgf}

Ratio of efforts = E1 : E2 = 30 : 15 = 2 : 1.

Hence, the ratio of the efforts in the two cases is 2 : 1.

(b) Potential energy gained = Load × Height raised.

If the effort displacement is the same:

  • In a fixed pulley, the load rises through the same distance as the effort.
  • In a movable pulley, the load rises through half the distance moved by the effort.

Let the load in the fixed-pulley case rise through height h. The load in the movable-pulley case rises through h/2.

Ratio of potential energies:

\frac{30\times\mathrm{h}}{30\times\frac{\mathrm{h}}{2}}=\frac{2}{1}=2:1

Hence, the ratio of the potential energies gained by the loads is 2 : 1.

(c) In an ideal machine, efficiency = 100% for both pulleys.

Therefore, the ratio of their efficiencies is 1 : 1.

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