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.

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 R_b, our missing value, and plugging in our variables yields:

R_b = \( \frac{R_ad_a}{d_b} \) = \( \frac{35 lbs. \times 1 ft.}{2 ft.} \) = \( \frac{35 ft⋅lb}{2 ft.} \) = 17.5 lbs.

A block and tackle is a combination of one or more fixed pulleys and one or more movable pulleys where the fixed pulleys change the direction of the effort force and the movable pulleys multiply it. The mechanical advantage is equal to the number of times the effort force changes direction and can be increased by adding more pulley wheels to the system. An easy way to find the mechanical advantage of a block and tackle pulley system is to count the number of ropes that support the resistance.

Connected gears of different numbers of teeth are used together to change the rotational speed and torque of the input force. If the smaller gear drives the larger gear, the speed of rotation will be reduced and the torque will increase. If the larger gear drives the smaller gear, the speed of rotation will increase and the torque will be reduced.

According to the principle of moments, you can maintain equilibrium if the moments (forces) tending to clockwise rotation are equal to the moments tending to counterclockwise rotation. Another name for these moments of force is torque.