Aim​–​To find the mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency of a simple

screw jack and plot the graph between

➢ Efficiency v/s Load

➢ Effort vs Load

Materials and Tools Required:

➢ Screw jack apparatus

➢ Slotted weights

➢ String

➢ Outside caliper

Theory:

Mechanical Advantage (MA) -​Mechanical advantage is defined as the ratio of

resistance overcomes to the effort applied. The simple machine requires force to do

work. The resistive force to be overcome is called load and the force applied to

overcome the load is called effort.

Velocity Ratio –​Velocity ratio of simple machine is the ratio of distance travelled by

the effort to the distance travelled by the load in the machine. As velocity ratio or ideal

mechanical advantage is a simple ratio of two distances, it also does not have the unit.

The friction is not involved in it.

If a machine overcomes a load ‘L’ and the distance travelled by the load is ‘Ld’.

Similarly, the effort applied in the machine is ‘E’ and the distance travelled by effort is

‘Ed’, and 'T' is the time taken then

Efficiency -

If a machine overcomes a load ‘L’ and the distance travelled by the load is ‘Ld’, the work

done by the load is L × Ld. It is also called output work or useful work. Therefore,
Output work = L × Ld

Likewise, the effort applied to overcome the load is E and the distance covered by effort

is Ed, the work done by effort is E × Ed. It is also called input work. Therefore,

Input work = E × Ed

The efficiency of a simple machine is defined as the ratio of useful work done by a

machine (output work) to the total work put into the machine (input work).

For ideal or perfect machine, work output is equal to the work input. Ideal machines are

those imaginary machines which are frictionless. In practice, the work output of a

machine is always less than work input due to the effect of friction. If the frictional force

in the machine increases the efficiency decreases because machines are frictionless in

practice, the efficiency of a machine can never be 100%.

Procedure ​–
 ➢ Wrap the string round the circumference of the flanged table and pass it over one

pulley. Similarly wrap another string over the circumference of flanged table and

take it over second pulley. The free end of the string be tied to two hangers

where the weights are to be hanged.

➢ Measure the pitch of the thread with the help of Vernier caliper​.

➢ Place the load​ ​W​ ​on the screw head and some weight on hangers so that the

load W is lifted, the effort P is equal to the sum of weight hanged in two hangers.

➢ Increase the loads and find the corresponding efforts applied for the consecutive

readings. Take at least 6-7 readings.

➢ Calculate mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency in each case.

➢ Plot the graph between efficiency v/s load, effort v/s load

Observations​ –

S.NO LOAD kg(w) EFFORT (P Kg M.A.=W/P

= P​1​ +P​2​ )
1. 7.875 0.500 15.75 47.39%
2. 8.125 0.520 15.625 47.02%
3. 8.375 0.540 15.51 46.67%
4. 8.625 0.570 15.13 45.53%
5. 8.875 0.590 15.04 45.26%
Mean efficiency – 47.39+47.02+46.67+45.53+45.26 / 5 = 46.374%

Precautions​ –

➢ The load and effort should move slowly.

➢ Add weights in hangers gently.

➢ The string should not overlap.

➢ There should be no knot in the string​.

Diagram for screw jack​ –

Graphs​ –