FCTC Pulleys, Gears, and Levers 2

Question 1

A compound pulley system uses 4 rope segments supporting a load. If the load weighs 200 lbs, what force is needed to lift it (ignoring friction)?

Accepted Answer

50 lbs

Answer

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

Question 2

Which class of lever has the fulcrum located between the effort and the load?

Accepted Answer

First-class lever

Answer

A first-class lever has the fulcrum between the effort and load, like a seesaw or crowbar.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

30 RPM

Answer

Gear ratio = 60/20 = 3, so the larger gear turns at 90 ÷ 3 = 30 RPM.

Question 4

A wheelbarrow is an example of which class of lever?

Accepted Answer

Second-class

Answer

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

Question 5

What happens to the speed of a driven gear when it has more teeth than the driving gear?

Accepted Answer

Speed decreases

Answer

A driven gear with more teeth rotates slower than the driving gear because the gear ratio reduces the output speed.

FCTC Test Practice Test