FCTC FCTC Test Pulleys, Gears, and Levers Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A compound pulley system uses 4 rope segments supporting a load. If the load weighs 200 lbs, what is the ideal effort force needed?
- 25 lbs
- 50 lbs (Correct answer)
- 100 lbs
- 200 lbs
Correct answer: 50 lbs
With 4 supporting rope segments, the mechanical advantage is 4, so effort = 200 ÷ 4 = 50 lbs.
Question 2: A lever has a 6-foot effort arm and a 2-foot resistance arm. What is its mechanical advantage?
- 0.33
- 2
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 8
Correct answer: 3
Mechanical advantage of a lever = effort arm length ÷ resistance arm length = 6 ÷ 2 = 3.
Question 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?
- 10 RPM
- 30 RPM (Correct answer)
- 60 RPM
- 270 RPM
Correct answer: 30 RPM
Speed ratio = 20/60 = 1/3, so the larger gear turns at 90 × (20/60) = 30 RPM.
Question 4: Which type of lever has both the effort and resistance on the same side of the fulcrum?
- First-class lever
- Second-class lever
- Third-class lever (Correct answer)
- Fourth-class lever
Correct answer: Third-class lever
In a third-class lever, effort is applied between the fulcrum and the load, with both on the same side.
Question 5: A fixed pulley attached to a ceiling is used to lift a crate. What is the primary advantage it provides?
- It multiplies force
- It changes the direction of the applied force (Correct answer)
- It reduces friction
- It increases speed
Correct 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).
Question 6: A gear train has a driver gear with 10 teeth and a driven gear with 40 teeth. What is the gear ratio?
- 1:4 (Correct answer)
- 4:1
- 1:2
- 2:1
Correct 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.
Question 7: A wheelbarrow is an example of which class of lever?
- First-class
- Second-class (Correct answer)
- Third-class
- Compound
Correct answer: Second-class
A wheelbarrow is a second-class lever because the load is between the fulcrum (wheel) and the effort (handles).
FCTC FCTC Test Pulleys, Gears, and Levers Questions and Answers 3
A compound pulley system uses 4 rope segments supporting a load.
If the load weighs 200 lbs, what is the ideal effort force needed?