The mechanical advantage (MA) of a wedge is its length divided by its thickness:

MA = \( \frac{l}{t} \) = \( \frac{6 in.}{2 in.} \) = 3

The efficiency of a machine describes how much of the power put into the machine is turned into movement or force. A 100% efficient machine would turn all of the input power into output movement or force. However, no machine is 100% efficient due to friction, heat, wear and other imperfections that consume input power without delivering any output.

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 6 and the output radius (where the resistance is being applied) is 5 for a mechanical advantage of \( \frac{6}{5} \) = 1.2

MA = \( \frac{load}{effort} \) so effort = \( \frac{load}{MA} \) = \( \frac{85 lbs.}{1.2} \) = 70.83 lbs.

Ceramics are mixtures of metallic and nonmetallic elements that withstand exteme thermal, chemical, and pressure environments. They have a high melting point, low corrosive action, and are chemically stable. Examples include rock, sand, clay, glass, brick, and porcelain.

Pascal's law states that a pressure change occurring anywhere in a confined incompressible fluid is transmitted throughout the fluid such that the same change occurs everywhere. For a hydraulic system, this means that a pressure applied to the input of the system will increase the pressure everywhere in the system.