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Research Project: Mechanical Advantage


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Project Summary

Students: Gabriella, Joseph B., Nathan, Sandy, and Zack.

Senior Advisor: Michele Soulis.

Project Goals: Test the mechanical advantage produced by a simple machine utilizing one to seven leads.

Materials: Block-and-tackle simple machine, lead weight, spring scale, tape measure, adhesive tape.

Conclusion: As more lines lead off of the weight, the force neeced to lift the weight decreases; but conversely, more line is pulled through the system to lift the weight the same distance. Their data also demonstrated that friction within the system decreased the theoretical mechanical advantage with each pulley introduced, until ultimately negating the mechanical advantage gained by addding more leads.

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