If a block and tackle system uses 3 pulleys in each block and has an efficiency of 83.6% with a downward effort of 100 N, what is the maximum mass that can be lifted?

To determine the maximum mass that can be lifted using a block and tackle system, it's essential to understand how mechanical advantage and efficiency come into play. In a system with multiple pulleys, the mechanical advantage is essentially the number of segments of rope supporting the load. For a block and tackle with 3 pulleys in each block, the ideal mechanical advantage (IMA) is equal to the total number of ropes that segment the load, which is 3 for this setup.

The actual mechanical advantage (AMA) can be calculated by taking the efficiency into account. The given efficiency of the system is 83.6%, meaning that the system does not convert all of the input power into useful work due to factors such as friction. The relationship between IMA, AMA, and efficiency can be expressed as:

[ \text{AMA} = \text{IMA} \times \text{Efficiency} ]

Substituting the known values makes it possible to find the actual mechanical advantage:

• IMA = 3 (as derived from the 3 pulleys)

• Efficiency = 83.6% = 0.836

Calculating AMA:

[ \text{AMA} = 3 \times 0.836 = 2.