A pulley system is operating at only 50% efficiency. How could the efficiency be increased?

by decreasing the amount of weight being lifted
by decreasing the amount of weight being lifted

by adding more pulleys to the system
by adding more pulleys to the system

by having a second person pulling on the rope
by having a second person pulling on the rope

by reducing the friction on the pulleys

1 answer

To increase the efficiency of a pulley system operating at 50% efficiency, the best option is:

by reducing the friction on the pulleys.

Lowering friction allows more of the input energy to be effectively used to lift the load, thus increasing overall efficiency. Other options, such as adding more pulleys or having a second person pulling, might not necessarily increase efficiency and could even complicate the system without guaranteeing improved performance. Reducing the amount of weight being lifted doesn't improve efficiency; it merely reduces the load the system has to handle.