The wheel and axel is a simple machine used to produce mechanical advantage. A mechanical advantage is when an input force is amplified by the use of a tool.
A wheel and axle is made of two circular or cylindrical objects that are fastened together. The larger of the two objects is called the wheel and the smaller one is called the axle.
Example:
A screwdriver is a wheel and axel.
In order to calculate the mechanical advantage of a wheel and axel, you can divide the radius of the wheel by the radius of the axle.
mechanical advantage = radius of wheel / radius of axle
If a wheel's radius is 60cm and its axle is 30cm, what is the mechanical advantage of the wheel and axle?
mechanical advantage = radius of wheel / radius of axle
mechanical advantage = 60cm / 30cm
mechanical advantage = 2
The output force of the wheel and axle is 2 times greater than the input force.
