Class X Science Chapter 1.

3 Simple Machines

Frank Solutions Class 10

Science
Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

Exercise:
1. What is the use of a fixed pulley?
Ans. In simple words, a fixed pulley is a machine that contains a wheel with a
groove on it, and a rope or a belt meshed in that groove. A fixed pulley is a
pulley whose one end is attached to a fixed rigid support. The other end of the
rope is attached to a load, or the object which you want to move. Pulleys help
to multiply the effect of the load applied. In a fixed pulley, the rope moves,
whereas the pulley is stationary. The mechanical advantage of a fixed pulley is
unity. A fixed pulley is used
• to change the direction of work load to a specific desired direction.
• to ease the lifting of small loads.
• to make weight handling more convenient.

2. What is an ideal machine?

Ans. A machine which works with 100% efficiency is called an ideal machine.
In reality, ideal machines do not exist. No machine has yet been developed
which works with 100% efficiency. In reality, there exists some losses in the
machine like friction losses, heat losses, electrical losses, etc. So the desired
output is less than the theoretical expected output. That is, mechanical
advantage decreases. Hence efficiency also decreases. An ideal machine is the
one which is free from all such losses, and which thus gives maximum
mechanical advantage.

3. Write the relation between mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and

efficiency.
Ans. Efficiency of a machine can be defined as the ratio of mechanical
advantage of the system to the velocity ratio of the system.

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Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

The mathematical relation between mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and

Mechanical advantage
efficiency is: Efficiency =
velocity ratio

4. Can a machine be 100% efficient?

Ans. No, a machine can not be 100% efficient. While working, a machine
experiences various work losses due to friction, weight of moving parts, heat
losses, electrical losses, etc. Hence the actual work output obtained is always
less than the theoretical work output. That is, mechanical advantage decreases.
And we know that efficiency is directly proportional to mechanical advantage.
Hence efficiency also decreases. It is always less than 100%. Currently there
exists no machine in the world which works on ideal conditions, i.e. 100%
efficiency.

5. Define velocity ratio. State its unit.

Ans. Velocity ratio is defined as the ratio of velocity of effort (VE) and velocity
of resistive load (VL). It can also be defined as the ratio of displacement of
effort and the displacement of load. It can be mathematically represented as:
VE d E
Velocity ratio = =
VL d L

Velocity ratio is the ratio of two similar quantities. So it does not have any
units.

6. What is the purpose of a machine?

Ans. An assembly of interconnected mechanical, electrical, electronic
components arranged in a systematic manner to form a device used for
performing specific tasks is called a machine. It can also be defined as a device
used for altering the magnitude or direction of a force. A machine is developed
to assist human beings in doing various works. A machine has various purposes.
Some of them are:
• To multiply the force
• To increase or decrease speed
• To change the direction of force applied to the desired direction.

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 Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

• To reduce the efforts of humans.

7. Give an example for each of the following uses of a machine:

i.To obtain gain in force
Ans. A jack is used to obtain gain in force.
ii. To change the point of application of force.
Ans. A lever is used to change the point of application of force.
iii. To change the direction of force.
Ans. A pulley is used to change the direction of force.
iv. To obtain gain in speed.
Ans. Gears are used to obtain gain in speed.

8. The diagram below shows a pulley arrangement.

i.In the diagram, mark the direction of the forces due to tension acting on
the pulley P.
Ans.

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Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

ii. What is the purpose of pulley Q?

Ans. The pulley Q is used to change the direction of the effort to a desired
direction.
iii. If the tension is T Newton, deduce the relation between T and E.
Ans. From the diagram, T and E balance each other. So T = E.
iv. Calculate the velocity ratio of the arrangement.
Ans. If the free end of the string is moved through a distance x, then the load
will move by a distance x/2. We know that velocity ratio is the ratio of
displacement of effort and the displacement of load. So
dE x
Velocity ratio = = =2
dL x / 2

v. Assuming that the efficiency of the system is 100%, what is the

mechanical advantage?
Ans. In equilibrium condition, L is balanced by tensions in two strings, and E is
balanced by tension in one string. So, L = 2T and E = T.
Now we know that,
Mechanical advantage
Efficiency =
velocity ratio

Mechanical advantage
Therefore,1 =
2

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Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

Therefore, Mechanical advantage = 2

vi. Calculate the value of E.

Ans. We know that,
L
Mechanical advantage =
E
L
thereforeE =
Mechanical advantage

100
thereforeE = = 50 N
2

9. What is a block and tackle system of pulleys?

Ans. A block and tackle system of pulleys consists of blocks of pulleys. In each
block, there may exist one or more than one pulleys. The upper block of pulleys
is attached to a fixed rigid support. These pulleys are meshed with the lower
block of pulleys with a belt or rope. The lower block of pulleys is movable. The
lower block of pulleys always consists of pulleys equal to, or less than the
number of pulleys in the upper block. This system of pulleys is used to transport
or handle heavy loads. Also, it can be used to handle loads from some distance
away from the load.

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Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

10. In which direction will the force be applied when a single pulley is used
with a mechanical advantage greater than unity?
Ans. When a single pulley is used with a mechanical advantage greater than
unity, we need to apply an upward force.

11. In a single fixed pulley, if the effort moves by a distance y downwards,

by what height is the load raised?
Ans. We know that,
dE
Velocity ratio = …(1)
dL

Here, d E = y

Also for a single fixed pulley, Velocity ratio = 1

So, equation (1) becomes ,
y
1=
dL

Therefore, d L = y

Hence, in a single fixed pulley, if the effort moves by a distance y downwards,

the load is raised by the same height y.

12. What is a single movable pulley? What is its mechanical advantage in

the ideal case?
Ans. A single movable pulley is a pulley whose axis of rotation is not fixed, i.e.
it is variable in position or space. A single movable pulley is free to move
upward and downward. One end of the pulley is attached to a fixed rigid
support. In a single movable pulley, the force applied by the pulley to lift the
object is greater than the amount of force applied to the rope. This makes it
easier to lift heavy objects. For example, pulleys used in some gym equipment
to lift weight. In an ideal case, the mechanical advantage of a single movable
pulley is 2.

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 Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

13. Name the type of single pulley that can act as a force multiplier. Draw a
labelled diagram of the pulley mentioned by you.
Ans. A single movable pulley can act as a force multiplier. It makes it much
easier to lift heavy weights. It splits the force into 2 ropes. Hence the force
applied by the pulley to lift the object is greater than the amount of force
applied to the rope. The diagram of single movable pulley is shown below:

14. Give reasons for the following:

i.In a single fixed pulley, the velocity ratio is always greater than the
mechanical advantage.
dE
Ans. We know that, Velocity ratio =
dL

In a single fixed pulley, d E = d L

Therefore Velocity ratio = 1. …(1)

L
Now, we know that, Mechanical advantage =
E

In a single fixed pulley, some amount of effort is lost. That is due to the friction
between the rope and the pulley, friction between the pulley and its support. So

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Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

now to lift a specific amount of load, the actual effort to be applied must be
greater than the load suspended.
So in equilibrium, L + F (frictional forces) = T, and T = E.
L
Therefore, Mechanical advantage =
E
T −F
Mechanical advantage =
T
F
Mechanical advantage = 1 −
E

Hence, Mechanical advantage is less than 1. …(2)

Therefore, On comparing equations (1) and (2), we can say that, in a single
fixed pulley, the velocity ratio is always greater than the mechanical advantage.

ii. The efficiency of a pulley is always less than 100%.

Ans. In a pulley, some amount of effort is lost. That is due to the friction
between the rope and the pulley, friction between the pulley and its support. So
now to lift a specific amount of load, the actual effort to be applied must be
greater than the load suspended. Due to these reasons, we have seen that the
velocity ratio is always greater than the mechanical advantage.
Mechanical advantage
We know that, Efficiency =
velocity ratio

Since the denominator is greater than the numerator, the value of efficiency will
be less than 1.
Hence, we can say that the efficiency of a pulley is always less than 100%.

iii. In case of a block and tackle arrangement, the mechanical advantage

increases with increase in the number of pulleys.
Ans. Suppose ‘n’ number of pulleys are used in a block and tackle arrangement
in both the blocks. The effort is being applied in the downward direction. Then
the tension in the ‘n’ number of strands of string supports the load.
So, L = nT and E = T.
We know that,

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 Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

L
Mechanical advantage =
E
nT
Mechanical advantage =
T
Mechanical advantage = n

Therefore, Mechanical advantage is directly proportional to the number of

pulleys in the arrangement.
Hence we can say that, the mechanical advantage increases with increase in the
number of pulleys.

15. Name a machine which is used to:

i.Multiply force
Ans. A jack is used to multiply force.
ii. Multiply speed
Ans. Gears are used to multiply speed.
iii. Change the direction of force applied
Ans. A pulley is used to change the direction of force applied.

16. Write two uses of pulleys. Is pulley a force multiplier?

Ans. A pulley is used to
• Change the direction of force applied to the desired direction
• Multiply force applied
• Lift heavy loads conveniently
Yes, a pulley can act as a force multiplier. We have already seen how a simple
movable pulley multiplies the force applied, and hence makes it easier to lift
and handle heavy loads conveniently. Also if we increase the number of pulleys
in block and tackle arrangement, it increases the mechanical advantage of the
system, and hence, the efficiency of the system.

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 Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

17. In fig. draw a tackle to lift a load by applying the force in a convenient
direction. Mark the position of load and effort.

Ans.
i.If the load is raised by 1m, through what distance will the effort move?
Ans. In the diagram, there are 5 pulleys, 5 strings.

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Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

Therefore, the velocity ratio of the system = n = 5.

We know that,
dE
Velocity ratio =
dL

dE
5=
1

Therefore, d E = 5m

Hence, effort will move by 5m.

ii. State how many strands of tackle are supporting the load.
Ans. There are 5 strands of tackle that are supporting the load.
iii. What is the mechanical advantage of the system?
Ans. We know that,
L
Mechanical advantage =
E

In this case, L = 5T and E = T

5T
Therefore, Mechanical advantage =
T

Therefore, Mechanical advantage = 5

18. Fig. shows a block and tackle system of pulleys used to lift a load.

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 Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

i.How many strands of tackle are supporting the load?

Ans. There are 4 strands of tackle that are supporting the load.
ii. Draw arrows to represent tension in each strand.

Ans.
iii. What is the mechanical advantage of the system?

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Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

Ans. We know that,

L
Mechanical advantage =
E

In this case, L = 4T and E = T

4T
Therefore, Mechanical advantage =
T
Therefore, Mechanical advantage = 4

iv. When load is pulled up by a distance of 1m how far does the effort
end move?
Ans. In the diagram, there are 4 pulleys, 4 strings.
Therefore, the velocity ratio of the system = n = 4.
We know that,
dE
Velocity ratio =
dL

dE
4=
1

Therefore, d E = 4m

Hence, the effort end will move by 4m.

19. What is a block and tackle system of pulleys?

Ans. A block and tackle system of pulleys consists of blocks of pulleys. In each
block, there may exist one or more than one pulleys. The upper block of pulleys
is attached to a fixed rigid support. These pulleys are meshed with the lower
block of pulleys with a belt or rope. The lower block of pulleys is movable. The
lower block of pulleys always consists of pulleys equal to, or less than the
number of pulleys in the upper block. This system of pulleys is used to transport
or handle heavy loads. Also, it can be used to handle loads from some distance
away from the load.

20. Fig. shows a system of 4 pulleys. The upper two pulleys are fixed and
lower two pulleys are movable.

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 Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

i.Draw a string around the pulleys. Also show the place and direction in
which the effort is applied.
Ans.

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Class X Science Chapter 1.3 Simple Machines

ii. What is the velocity ratio of the system?

Ans. There are 4 strands of strings in the system. Therefore, the velocity ratio of
the system is 4.
iii. What is the mechanical advantage of the system?
Ans. We know that,
L
Mechanical advantage =
E

In this case, L = 4T and E = T

4T
Therefore, Mechanical advantage =
T

Therefore, Mechanical advantage = 4

iv. What assumption do you make in arriving at your answer in part
(iii)?
Ans. We have assumed ideal conditions in part (iii). That is,
• movable pulleys are weightless
• movable pulleys are frictionless
• the efficiency of the system is 100%.

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