← All IBEW Flashcard Decks

Mechanical Principles and Pulleys Flashcards

6 cards from real IBEW practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Mechanical Principles and Pulleys flashcards as text
  1. A fixed pulley changes the direction of force but not the amount. If you pull down with 50 lbs on a fixed pulley, how much weight does it lift?

    Answer: 50 lbs

    A fixed pulley provides no mechanical advantage — it only redirects force. 50 lbs of pull lifts 50 lbs.

  2. A movable pulley system has 2 rope segments supporting the load. What is the mechanical advantage?

    Answer: 2

    Mechanical advantage = number of rope segments supporting the load = 2.

  3. A gear with 20 teeth meshes with a gear with 40 teeth. If the smaller gear rotates at 100 RPM, what is the speed of the larger gear?

    Answer: 50 RPM

    Speed ratio = teeth of driven ÷ teeth of driver. 20/40 × 100 = 50 RPM.

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

    Answer: 3

    MA = effort arm ÷ resistance arm = 6 ÷ 2 = 3.

  5. Which type of pulley system provides the greatest mechanical advantage: a single fixed pulley, a single movable pulley, or a block and tackle with 4 rope segments?

    Answer: Block and tackle with 4 segments

    Block and tackle with 4 rope segments: MA=4. Single movable: MA=2. Single fixed: MA=1.

  6. A wheel and axle has a wheel radius of 12 inches and an axle radius of 3 inches. What is the mechanical advantage?

    Answer: 4

    MA = wheel radius ÷ axle radius = 12 ÷ 3 = 4.