Firefighter Mechanical Aptitude · Question
A firefighter applies 100 N of force over a distance of 5 metres to move a patient. The patient moves 2 metres, requiring 200 N of force. What is the approximate mechanical advantage of the system being used?
Mechanical advantage is calculated as the ratio of output force (load) to input force (effort). In this case, 200 N (output) / 100 N (input) = 2.0. However, if
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Question: A firefighter applies 100 N of force over a distance of 5 metres to move a patient. The patient moves 2 metres, requiring 200 N of force. What is the approximate mechanical advantage of the system being used?
Answer options:
- 0.2 ✅ 0.5
- 2.0
- 2.5
Correct answer: 0.5
Explanation: Mechanical advantage is calculated as the ratio of output force (load) to input force (effort). In this case, 200 N (output) / 100 N (input) = 2.0. However, if 'mechanical advantage' refers to the ratio of distance moved by effort to distance moved by load, then 5m/2m = 2.5 is the distance advantage. If referring to actual mechanical advantage (force ratio) assuming 200N is the resistance over 2m, and 100N is applied over 5m, then: IMA = d_effort / d_load = 5m / 2m = 2.5. AMA = F_load / F_effort = 200N / 100N = 2.0. Given the options, and typical interpretation, if 100N moves 5m and 200N moves 2m, the work in is 500J, work out is 400J. If the question implies the force needed (200N) versus the force applied (100N), then the AMA is 200/100 = 2.0. Let's re-evaluate for a plausible answer. If the question implies that the 100N of force is what is actually applied to achieve the 200N output, then AMA is 200/100 = 2.0. If the question is about distances, it's 5m/2m = 2.5. The options make 2.0 or 2.5 plausible. Let's assume ideal mechanical advantage here, often asked as the ratio of distances. IMA = distance over which force is applied / distance load moves = 5m / 2m = 2.5. If the question means 'what is the force advantage?', it would be Actual Mechanical Advantage, which is [Force_output / Force_input]. If 200N is the load and 100N is the effort, the AMA is 2. This question is tricky if not specified. Let's assume it asks for IMA, which is generally easier to calculate from distances. IMA = input distance / output distance = 5m / 2m = 2.5. If it asks AMA (Force_load/Force_effort) it is 200N/100N=2.0. Given the wording 'requires 200N', this is the load. 100N is the effort. Therefore, AMA is 2.0.
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- Scenario 1: Which simple machine uses a fulcrum to multiply force or change the direction of force?
- Scenario 2: If a hydraulic jack has a small piston with an area of 5 cm² and a large piston with an area of 50
- Scenario 3: Which of the following would require the MOST force to move?
- Scenario 4: A rope is tied to a heavy box. Instead of pulling the box directly, a firefighter wraps the rope a
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