Ideal Mechanical Advantage of this bicycle?

In summary, the conversation discusses the ideal mechanical advantage for a bicycle wheel with a diameter of 73cm and a chain-driven gear of 8.5cm diameter. The equation for mechanical advantage is mentioned, but the participants are unsure of which values correspond to the force in and force out. The idea of considering it as a 3rd class lever is brought up as a way to determine the MA.
  • #1
Rionic
7
0
A bicycle wheel has a diameter of 73cm and is driven by a chain on a gear of 8.5cm diameter

What is the ideal mechanical advantage?

I know that IMA=de/dr
But I'm not sure which one is de and which one is dr.
 
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  • #3
billy_joule said:
I'm not sure where you got that equation from but the normal form is:

MA = Force in / Force out

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_advantage

Can you find the MA now? If not, can you identify the force in and force out?
Force input= 8.5 and force output=73?
 
  • #4
Those are distances, in cm, not forces.
But your idea is right and will give the right answer.
One way is to consider it as a 3rd class lever, the axle is the fulcrum, the effort is applied via the chain and the load is at the tyre contact point.
 

Related to Ideal Mechanical Advantage of this bicycle?

1. What is the definition of Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA)?

Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA) refers to the theoretical advantage that a machine has in amplifying the force applied to it. It is calculated by dividing the output force by the input force.

2. How is the IMA of a bicycle calculated?

The IMA of a bicycle can be calculated by dividing the radius of the rear wheel by the radius of the front wheel. This is because the pedals, which are attached to the front wheel, rotate a larger distance than the rear wheel, resulting in a greater force being applied to the rear wheel.

3. What factors affect the IMA of a bicycle?

The IMA of a bicycle can be affected by several factors, including the size and type of tires, the gear ratio, and the overall design and weight distribution of the bicycle.

4. Can the IMA of a bicycle be increased?

Yes, the IMA of a bicycle can be increased by changing the gear ratio or using larger front and rear wheels. However, there may be trade-offs such as decreased speed or increased difficulty in pedaling.

5. Why is the IMA of a bicycle important?

The IMA of a bicycle is important because it determines the amount of effort needed to move the bicycle and how efficiently the force is transmitted from the pedals to the wheels. A higher IMA can make it easier to pedal and increase the speed of the bicycle, while a lower IMA may require more effort and result in a slower ride.

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