[…]and it will always be found, that the mechanical advantage of the wedge may be ascertained by comparing its perpendicular elevation with its base.

In the case of a lever with a mechanical advantage of 10 the effort has to move ten times as far as the load. This is the price which must always be paid for a mechanical advantage. Any machine which is designed to have a high mechanical advantage must also have a high velocity ratio. In fact, 'what is gained in force is lost in speed'.

Mechanical advantage is a ratio of like quantities and therefore has no units.

Mechanical advantage

Meaning

Noun

Synonyms