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 400 lbs, how much force must be applied to lift it (ignoring friction)?
- 50 lbs
- 100 lbs (Correct answer)
- 200 lbs
- 400 lbs
Correct answer: 100 lbs
With 4 supporting rope segments, the mechanical advantage is 4, so the effort needed is 400 ÷ 4 = 100 lbs.
Question 2: Two gears are meshed together. Gear A has 30 teeth and Gear B has 10 teeth. If Gear A makes 2 full rotations, how many rotations does Gear B complete?
- 2
- 4
- 6 (Correct answer)
- 8
Correct answer: 6
The gear ratio is 30:10 = 3:1, so Gear B rotates 3 times for every rotation of Gear A, giving 2 × 3 = 6 rotations.
Question 3: A firefighter uses a third-class lever to swing a pick-head axe. Where is the effort force applied on a third-class lever?
- At the fulcrum
- Between the fulcrum and the load (Correct answer)
- At the far end from the fulcrum
- Beyond the load
Correct answer: Between the fulcrum and the load
In a third-class lever, the effort is applied between the fulcrum and the load, trading mechanical advantage for speed and range of motion.
Question 4: A fixed pulley changes the direction of the rope. What is its mechanical advantage?
- 0
- 1 (Correct answer)
- 2
- Depends on the load
Correct answer: 1
A single fixed pulley has a mechanical advantage of 1; it only redirects the force, not multiplying it.
Question 5: Gear X rotates clockwise and is meshed directly with Gear Y. In which direction does Gear Y rotate?
- Clockwise
- Counterclockwise (Correct answer)
- It depends on the gear sizes
- It depends on the speed
Correct answer: Counterclockwise
When two gears are meshed directly, they rotate in opposite directions; if X is clockwise, Y is counterclockwise.
Question 6: A first-class lever has a 60 lb load 2 feet from the fulcrum. How much effort is needed at 6 feet from the fulcrum on the other side?
- 10 lbs
- 20 lbs (Correct answer)
- 30 lbs
- 60 lbs
Correct answer: 20 lbs
Using the lever equation: Effort × 6 ft = 60 lbs × 2 ft, so Effort = 120 ÷ 6 = 20 lbs.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of a second-class lever?
- A seesaw
- A wheelbarrow (Correct answer)
- A fishing rod
- A pair of scissors
Correct answer: A wheelbarrow
A wheelbarrow is a second-class lever because the load is between the fulcrum (wheel axle) and the effort (handles).
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 400 lbs, how much force must be applied to lift it (ignoring friction)?