Two or more pulleys used together constitute a block and tackle which, unlike a fixed pulley, does impart mechanical advantage as a function of the number of pulleys that make up the arrangement. So, for example, a block and tackle with three pulleys would have a mechanical advantage of three.

Hydraulics is the transmission of force through the use of liquids. Liquids are especially suited for transferring force in complex machines because they compress very little and can occupy very small spaces. Hydraulic pressure is calculated by dividing force by the area over which it is applied: P = F/A where F is force in pounds, A is area in square inches, and the resulting pressure is in pounds per square inch (psi).

Normal force (F_N) represents the force a surface exerts when an object presses against it.

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

The six types of simple machines are the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, and screw.