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.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one halves the effort? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 2.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one rises with the load? (a) a movable pulley (b) a fixed pulley
- 3.🪝 A load of 280 N hangs from a pulley system in which 2 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 4.True or false: a movable pulley is on a flagpole top. (a) True (b) False
- 5.🪝 A wheel and axle is a big wheel fixed to … (a) a sharp wedge (b) a flat ramp (c) a smaller rod (axle) (d) a loose rope
- 6.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one makes you pull 2× rope? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 7.True or false: a movable pulley needs effort = load. (a) True (b) False
- 8.True or false: a fixed pulley stays in one place. (a) True (b) False
- 9.🪝 A bucket weighing 130 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 10.True or false: a fixed pulley only changes direction. (a) True (b) False
- 11.🪝 What does a single fixed pulley change? (a) gravity (b) the colour of rope (c) the size of the load (d) the direction of pull
- 12.True or false: a movable pulley rises with the load. (a) True (b) False
- 13.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 21 cm and an axle of radius 3 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 350 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 14.🪝 A load of 480 N hangs from a pulley system in which 2 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 15.🪝 A pulley system has 4 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 2 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 16.🪝 A load of 390 N hangs from a pulley system in which 3 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 17.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 300 N load with an effort of 100 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 18.🪝 A pulley system lifts an 800 N load with an effort of 200 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 19.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 600 N load with an effort of 300 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 20.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 30 cm and an axle of radius 5 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 1080 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 21.🪝 A bucket weighing 430 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 22.🪝 A bucket weighing 320 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 23.True or false: a fixed pulley hangs on the rope loop. (a) True (b) False
- 24.🪝 More rope sections holding a load means … (a) no change (b) the load floats (c) more effort needed (d) less effort needed
- 25.🪝 A pulley system has 3 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 2 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 26.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 4 cm turning an axle of radius 2 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 27.🪝 A load of 120 N hangs from a pulley system in which 3 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 28.🪝 A bucket weighing 140 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 29.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 6 cm turning an axle of radius 2 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 30.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one only changes direction? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 31.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one needs effort = load? (a) a movable pulley (b) a fixed pulley
- 32.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 2 cm and an axle of radius 1 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 400 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 33.🪝 A load of 800 N hangs from a pulley system in which 4 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 34.🪝 A pulley system has 2 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 5 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 35.🪝 A bucket weighing 240 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 36.🪝 A load of 760 N hangs from a pulley system in which 4 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 37.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 9 cm turning an axle of radius 3 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 38.🪝 A pulley system has 4 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 6 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 39.🪝 A pulley system has 3 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 1 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 40.True or false: a movable pulley stays in one place. (a) False (b) True
Answer key
- a movable pulley
- a movable pulley
- 140
- False
- a smaller rod (axle)
- a movable pulley
- False
- True
- 130
- True
- the direction of pull
- True
- 50
- 240
- 8
- 130
- 3
- 4
- 2
- 180
- 430
- 320
- False
- less effort needed
- 6
- 2
- 40
- 140
- 3
- a fixed pulley
- a fixed pulley
- 200
- 200
- 10
- 240
- 190
- 3
- 24
- 3
- False
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