Mechanical Aptitude Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An inclined plane is 10 feet long and 2 feet high. What is its mechanical advantage?
- 2
- 5 (Correct answer)
- 8
- 20
Correct answer: 5
The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane equals the slope length divided by the height: 10 ÷ 2 = 5.
Question 2: A wheel and axle has a wheel radius of 12 inches and an axle radius of 3 inches. What is its mechanical advantage?
- 3
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 9
- 36
Correct answer: 4
The mechanical advantage of a wheel and axle equals the wheel radius divided by the axle radius: 12 ÷ 3 = 4.
Question 3: Which simple machine is essentially an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder?
- Lever
- Wedge
- Screw (Correct answer)
- Pulley
Correct answer: Screw
A screw is an inclined plane (the thread) wrapped helically around a cylinder, converting rotary motion into linear force.
Question 4: A wedge is 6 inches long and 2 inches thick at its widest point. What is its mechanical advantage?
- 12
- 8
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 4
Correct answer: 3
The mechanical advantage of a wedge equals its length divided by its maximum thickness: 6 ÷ 2 = 3.
Question 5: In mechanical terms, work is defined as:
- Force × Time
- Force × Distance (Correct answer)
- Mass × Acceleration
- Power × Time
Correct answer: Force × Distance
Work equals force multiplied by the distance over which that force is applied (W = F × d).
Question 6: A fixed pulley changes the _______ of the applied force but NOT the _______.
- direction; magnitude (Correct answer)
- magnitude; direction
- speed; force
- weight; effort
Correct answer: direction; magnitude
A fixed pulley redirects force (e.g., lets you pull down to lift up) but provides no mechanical advantage — the output force equals the input force.
Question 7: A machine has a mechanical advantage of 4. If you apply 50 lbs of force, what is the output force (ignoring friction)?
- 12.5 lbs
- 54 lbs
- 200 lbs (Correct answer)
- 400 lbs
Correct answer: 200 lbs
Output force = Mechanical advantage × Input force = 4 × 50 = 200 lbs.
Mechanical Aptitude Simple Machines and Mechanical Advantage Questions and Answers 1
An inclined plane is 10 feet long and 2 feet high.
What is its mechanical advantage?