Lifting a bale of cotton is no easy task. Farmer Jones wanted to store the cotton in the loft of his barn but he could not budge
the bale. He consulted the high school's science teacher for help. She suggested a simple machine. Farmer Jones' options included an inclined plane, a fixed pulley, a block and tackle, and a lever. If he had to lift the bale of cotton to a height of fifteen feet, which would be the MOST practical solution?
A) lever
B) screw
C) inclined plane
D) block and tackle (pulley)
An inclined plane would not be practical because he would still have to push it and the amount of effort and energy would increase. A lever would not be practical because he would have to use his weight to make the bale rise 15 feet. He would also need to make sure that he has a 15 foot ladder in the first place. A screw would not be practical because he would have to drill a hole through the medium and use rotation.
A pulley would be the most practical way of moving the cotton bale. A pulley supports movement and will help the farmer move the bale.
The "guide to Engineering and land surveying" for professional engineers and land surveyors by the California board reviews that an unlicensed person cannot be a sole owner of an engineering business, unless there is partnership with a licensed engineer.