The mechanical advantage of a wheel and axle is the input radius divided by the output radius:

MA = \( \frac{r_i}{r_o} \)

In this case, the input radius (where the effort force is being applied) is 7 and the output radius (where the resistance is being applied) is 8 for a mechanical advantage of \( \frac{7}{8} \) = 0.88

Power is the rate at which work is done, P = w/t, or work per unit time. The watt (W) is the unit for power and is equal to 1 joule (or newton-meter) per second. Horsepower (hp) is another familiar unit of power used primarily for rating internal combustion engines. 1 hp equals 746 watts.

To balance this lever the torques at the green box and the blue arrow must be equal. Torque is weight x distance from the fulcrum so the equation for equilibrium is:

R_ad_a = R_bd_b

Solving for d_b, our missing value, and plugging in our variables yields:

d_b = \( \frac{R_ad_a}{R_b} \) = \( \frac{45 lbs. \times 5 ft.}{55 lbs.} \) = \( \frac{225 ft⋅lb}{55 lbs.} \) = 4.09 ft.

To balance this lever the torques on each side of the fulcrum must be equal. Torque is weight x distance from the fulcrum so the equation for equilibrium is:

R_ad_a = R_bd_b

Solving for d_b, our missing value, and plugging in our variables yields:

d_b = \( \frac{R_ad_a}{R_b} \) = \( \frac{10 lbs. \times 5 ft.}{60 lbs.} \) = \( \frac{50 ft⋅lb}{60 lbs.} \) = 0.83 ft.

Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of equal volumes of a substance and water and is measured by a hyrdometer.