AQA GCSE Physical Education · 8582
Paper 1
Revise: Mechanical advantageMechanical advantage describes the force advantage provided by the relative lengths of these two arms.
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GCSE Physical Education · key term
The ratio of effort-arm length to resistance-arm length, indicating the force advantage provided by a lever.
Used by AQA and OCR
Paper 1
Revise: Mechanical advantageMechanical advantage describes the force advantage provided by the relative lengths of these two arms.
Paper 1
The ability of a lever to move a larger load using a smaller effort.
Revise: Lever systemsMechanical advantage is the ability of a lever to move a larger load using a smaller effort. It depends on where the effort and load act relative to the fulcrum.
Use the same unit for both arm lengths before dividing. Mechanical advantage has no unit.
To justify which lever has the greatest mechanical advantage, compare effort arm ÷ resistance arm, not effort-arm length alone.
For a first-class lever, inspect the arm lengths shown rather than assuming that the lever class determines its mechanical advantage.
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