Pulleys and Wheel and Axle Worksheet
Engineer's tip (Count the ropes): Fixed pulley: changes direction, effort = load. Pulley system: effort = load ÷ supporting rope sections; rope pulled = lift height × that number. Wheel and axle: MA = wheel radius ÷ axle radius; effort = load ÷ MA.
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- 1.True or false: a movable pulley rises with the load. (a) True (b) False
- 2.🪝 A load of 140 N hangs from a pulley system in which 2 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 3.🪝 A wheel and axle is a big wheel fixed to … (a) a smaller rod (axle) (b) a loose rope (c) a sharp wedge (d) a flat ramp
- 4.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 12 cm turning an axle of radius 2 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 5.True or false: a fixed pulley makes you pull 2× rope. (a) False (b) True
- 6.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one only changes direction? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 7.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one needs effort = load? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 8.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one is on a flagpole top? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 9.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one rises with the load? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 10.🪝 A load of 540 N hangs from a pulley system in which 2 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 11.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 4 cm turning an axle of radius 1 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 12.True or false: a fixed pulley hangs on the rope loop. (a) True (b) False
- 13.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one makes you pull 2× rope? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 14.🪝 More rope sections holding a load means … (a) the load floats (b) no change (c) less effort needed (d) more effort needed
- 15.True or false: a fixed pulley needs effort = load. (a) False (b) True
- 16.🪝 A pulley system has 1 rope section holding up the load. To lift the load by 3 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 17.🪝 A bucket weighing 460 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 18.🪝 A pulley system has 3 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 5 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 19.🪝 A load of 750 N hangs from a pulley system in which 3 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 20.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one stays in one place? (a) a movable pulley (b) a fixed pulley
- 21.True or false: a movable pulley hangs on the rope loop. (a) False (b) True
- 22.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 20 cm and an axle of radius 5 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 520 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 23.🪝 A bucket weighing 220 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 24.🪝 A pulley system lifts an 80 N load with an effort of 20 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 25.🪝 A pulley system has 4 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 7 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 26.🪝 A bucket weighing 40 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 27.🪝 What does a single fixed pulley change? (a) the colour of rope (b) the direction of pull (c) the size of the load (d) gravity
- 28.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 40 cm turning an axle of radius 5 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 29.🪝 A bucket weighing 200 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 30.🪝 A load of 840 N hangs from a pulley system in which 3 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 31.True or false: a fixed pulley stays in one place. (a) False (b) True
- 32.True or false: a fixed pulley halves the effort. (a) True (b) False
- 33.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 16 cm and an axle of radius 4 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 560 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 34.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 500 N load with an effort of 250 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 35.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 260 N load with an effort of 130 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 36.🪝 A pulley system has 3 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 4 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 37.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 440 N load with an effort of 110 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 38.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one halves the effort? (a) a movable pulley (b) a fixed pulley
- 39.🪝 A bucket weighing 250 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 40.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one hangs on the rope loop? (a) a movable pulley (b) a fixed pulley
Answer key
- True
- 70
- a smaller rod (axle)
- 6
- False
- a fixed pulley
- a fixed pulley
- a fixed pulley
- a movable pulley
- 270
- 4
- False
- a movable pulley
- less effort needed
- True
- 3
- 460
- 15
- 250
- a fixed pulley
- True
- 130
- 220
- 4
- 28
- 40
- the direction of pull
- 8
- 200
- 280
- True
- False
- 140
- 2
- 2
- 12
- 4
- a movable pulley
- 250
- a movable pulley
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