FCTC Test Pulleys, Gears, and Levers Questions and Answers Flashcards

A compound pulley system uses 4 rope segments supporting a load. If the load weighs 200 lbs, what is the ideal effort force needed?

Answer: 50 lbs

With 4 supporting rope segments, the mechanical advantage is 4, so effort = 200 ÷ 4 = 50 lbs.

A lever has a 6-foot effort arm and a 2-foot resistance arm. What is its mechanical advantage?

Answer: 3

Mechanical advantage of a lever = effort arm length ÷ resistance arm length = 6 ÷ 2 = 3.

Two meshing gears have 20 teeth and 60 teeth respectively. If the smaller gear rotates at 90 RPM, how fast does the larger gear rotate?

Answer: 30 RPM

Speed ratio = 20/60 = 1/3, so the larger gear turns at 90 × (20/60) = 30 RPM.

Which type of lever has both the effort and resistance on the same side of the fulcrum?

Answer: Third-class lever

In a third-class lever, effort is applied between the fulcrum and the load, with both on the same side.

A fixed pulley attached to a ceiling is used to lift a crate. What is the primary advantage it provides?

Answer: It changes the direction of the applied force

A fixed pulley does not multiply force; its only advantage is redirecting the effort force (e.g., pulling down to lift up).

A gear train has a driver gear with 10 teeth and a driven gear with 40 teeth. What is the gear ratio?

Answer: 1:4

Gear ratio = driver teeth : driven teeth = 10:40 = 1:4, meaning the driven gear turns once for every 4 turns of the driver.

A wheelbarrow is an example of which class of lever?

Answer: Second-class

A wheelbarrow is a second-class lever because the load is between the fulcrum (wheel) and the effort (handles).