A wheel is used to turn a valve stem on a water valve. The wheel radius is 4 inches and the axle radius is .25 inches.

a)What is the mechanical advantage of the wheel and axle?

b)How much resistance force can be overcome when an effort of 6 lbs is applied to the wheel of the water valve in this problem?

Explanation:

Mechanical Advantage of a wheel and axle is defined as the ratio of the load on the axle to the effort applied on the wheel. It can also be described as the ratio of the radius of the wheel (larger radius) to the radius of the axle (smaller radius).

Mechanical advantage = Load/ Effort = R/r

Given the wheel radius as 4 inches and the axle radius as 0.25 inches.

MA = R/r = 4/0.25

MA = 16

Mechanical advantage of the wheel and axle is 16

b) Using the formula Mechanical Advantage = Load/ Effort

Given MA = 16, Effort = 16lbs, Load =?

On substitution, 16 = Load/6

Load = 16*6

Load = 96lbs

The resistance force that can be overcomed with the effort is 96lbs