Do simple machines increase or decrease the mechanical force needed to move an object?
1 answer
Simple machines can either increase or decrease the mechanical force needed to move an object, depending on their design and configuration. For example, a lever can increase force by allowing a person to exert a smaller force over a longer distance to lift a heavy object, while a pulley can decrease force by spreading the load over multiple sections of rope. Ultimately, simple machines help to make work easier by either increasing or decreasing the amount of force required to move an object.