Simple Machines for Engineers | IMA AMA and % Efficiency

Take a look at how we define ideal mechanical advantage in simple machines, actual mechanical advantage as well as how each type of simple machine produces that mechanical advantage. Additionally we will look at how to calculate percent efficiency in a simple machine.

Ultimately simple machines boil down to the relationship between input work and output work. This is because an input force, also known as effort force acts over an input distance producing work. As a result of the conservation of energy an output force or resistance occurs at the other end of the simple machine over some output distance.

In a simple machine the input and output works are equal unless the simple machine is not 100% efficient. We will see how to calculate percent efficiency in a simple machine in this video.

Simple machines are typically covered in introductory physics and engineering courses. Project Lead the Way Principles of Engineering ( PLTW POE ) being a common setting at the high school level.