Simple Machines: Trading Force for Distance (2D)

Machine

Fulcrum position 50%

Load weight 100 N

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Mechanical advantage

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Effort force

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Effort distance

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Work in = out

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How it works

A simple machine never creates energy — it trades force for distance so total work (force × distance) stays the same on both sides:

Lever — mechanical advantage = load-arm length ÷ effort-arm length. Move the fulcrum toward the load and less force is needed, but the effort end must travel farther.
Pulley — each rope strand supporting the load divides the effort force by the number of strands; the free end must be pulled that many times farther.
Inclined plane — a shallower ramp needs less force to push a load up to the same height, but the load travels a longer distance along the slope: MA = 1 ÷ sin(angle).