The mechanical advantage of a gear train is its gear ratio. The gear ratio (V_r) is the product of the gear ratios between the pairs of meshed gears. Let N represent the number of teeth for each gear:

V_r = \( \frac{N_1}{N_2} \) \( \frac{N_2}{N_3} \) \( \frac{N_3}{N_4} \) ... \( \frac{N_n}{N_{n+1}} \)

In this problem, we have three gears so the equation becomes:

V_r = \( \frac{N_1}{N_2} \) \( \frac{N_2}{N_3} \) = \( \frac{30}{18} \) \( \frac{18}{8} \) = \( \frac{30}{8} \) = 3.8

Work is accomplished when force is applied to an object: W = Fd where F is force in newtons (N) and d is distance in meters (m). Thus, the more force that must be applied to move an object, the more work is done and the farther an object is moved by exerting force, the more work is done. By definition, work is the displacement of an object resulting from applied force.

Coefficient of friction (μ) represents how much two materials resist sliding across each other.  Smooth surfaces like ice have low coefficients of friction while rough surfaces like concrete have high μ.

Potential energy is the energy of an object by virtue of its position relative to other objects. It is energy that has the potential to be converted into kinetic energy.

The wedge is a moving inclined plane that is used to lift, hold, or break apart an object. A wedge converts force applied to its blunt end into force perpendicular to its inclined surface. In contrast to a stationary plane where force is applied to the object being moved, with a wedge the object is stationary and the force is being applied to the plane. Examples of a wedge include knives and chisels.