Question

Luisa uses a nutcracker to crack walnuts. She has to squeeze the handles 12 centimeters to crack a walnut. The part of the arms holding the walnut only move 0.3 centimeters. If Luisa applies 21 Newtons of force to crack the walnut, how much force would she need without the nutcracker?(1 point)
Responses

84 N
84 N

61 N
61 N

840 N
840 N

0.525 N

Answer 1

please choose one of the answers listed

Answer 2

To calculate the force Luisa would need without the nutcracker, we need to use the concept of mechanical advantage.

The mechanical advantage (MA) of a nutcracker can be calculated using the formula:

MA = output force / input force

In this case, the output force is the force applied to crack the walnut (21 N), and the input force is the force Luisa applies to squeeze the handles (12 N).

MA = 21 N / 12 N = 1.75

The mechanical advantage tells us that the nutcracker multiplies the force by 1.75.

To find the force Luisa would need without the nutcracker, we can divide the force she applies (21 N) by the mechanical advantage (1.75):

Force without nutcracker = 21 N / 1.75 = 12 N

Therefore, Luisa would need a force of 12 N without the nutcracker.

Answer 3

Based on the options given, the correct answer is:

61 N