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The mechanical advantage of an ideal single movable pulley is:

(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) less than 2
(d) less than 1.

Solutions:

The correct option is (b) 2. Mechanical advantage of an ideal single movable pulley is 2 derivation of which is given below:

According to given figure, the load L is balanced by the tension (T) in two segments of the string. And the effort E is balancing the tension T at the free end, therefore –

Load = 2T

And, Effort = T

Here, we are assuming that the weight of the pulley is negligible

Expression of the mechanical advantage is as follows –

M.A. = Load L / Effort E = 2T / T

M.A. = 2

Therefore, a single movable pulley has an M.A equal to 2.