Questions: Pulleys

Question 1

What does a single fixed pulley change about the force you use?

• A. It makes the force smaller
• B. It changes the direction of the force
• C. It makes the force larger
• D. It removes gravity

Answer: (B)

A single fixed pulley lets you pull down to lift something up. It changes direction but does not reduce the amount of force needed.

Question 2

Using more pulleys together can reduce the force needed to lift a heavy object.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: True

A compound pulley system (multiple pulleys) spreads the load over more sections of rope, so each section carries less of the weight.

Question 3

Name one place where you might see a pulley being used.

Model answer: A flagpole (also acceptable: elevator, construction crane, window blinds, clothesline, well).

A flagpole uses a pulley at the top so you can pull a rope down at the bottom to raise the flag up.