What is Mechanical Advantage?
If you look at each word separately, you can figure it out easily. “Mechanical” means having to do with machines. “Advantage” means benefit or gain. So, mechanical advantage means the benefit gained by using machines. The engine is not the only form of mechanical advantage you will experience on your boat trip. You will use blocks (pulleys) and tackle (lines). On traditional sailing vessels like Lady Maryland, Sigsbee, and Minnie V., the crew uses halyards that support the heavy sails and blocks and tackle to make raising them easier. On cargo vessels like the Mildred Belle, the crew uses a cargo boom with blocks and tackle to load and unload the cargo. You will be amazed how light the load will feel! Other simple forms of Mechanical Advantage used in our daily lives include the inclined plane and lever. An example of an inclined plane is a ramp and examples of a lever are a crowbar, oars and a seesaw. Even the human arm can be used as a lever!
Mechanical advantage is a term that is used to describe the amount of force that is utilized internally by some sort of mechanical device. The mechanical advantage allows the device to perform the task for which it was designed. Many common tools that are used in the home and in construction make use of this principle. One of the best ways to understand the idea of mechanical advantage is to consider the simple action that takes place between a screwdriver and a screw. Force is exerted on the screwdriver, causing the body of the tool to rotate while at the same time pressing the screw into some sort of surface, such as a wooden block. The combination of rotational force and forward movement make it possible for the screwdriver to use mechanical advantage to secure the screw into the medium. Another easy example has to do with the use of crushing machines. Mechanisms of this type make use of two flat surfaces. An object is placed between those two surfaces. Using simple hydraulic action
