explainthatstuff
Pulleys on a crane#1
Pulleys - what a great idea! They let you multiply your pulling force but the catch is that you have to pull further. You do the same amount of "work" (in the strict, physics sense) in each case, but using a pulley means you can do it with less force, so it feels easier. From our article on pulleys.
This is a Ransomes and Rapier 45-ton steam breakdown crane currently operating on the Swanage Railway. You can just about see how it works. Steam powers a piston on the side that turns the gears and pulleys. You can read more about it in this article about the Ransomes & Rapier 45 Ton Steam Breakdown Crane RS1083/45 from the Bluebell Railway.
Our images are published under a Creative Commons Licence (see opposite) and are free for noncommercial use. We also license our images for commercial use. Please contact us directly via our website for more details.
Pulleys on a crane#1
Pulleys - what a great idea! They let you multiply your pulling force but the catch is that you have to pull further. You do the same amount of "work" (in the strict, physics sense) in each case, but using a pulley means you can do it with less force, so it feels easier. From our article on pulleys.
This is a Ransomes and Rapier 45-ton steam breakdown crane currently operating on the Swanage Railway. You can just about see how it works. Steam powers a piston on the side that turns the gears and pulleys. You can read more about it in this article about the Ransomes & Rapier 45 Ton Steam Breakdown Crane RS1083/45 from the Bluebell Railway.
Our images are published under a Creative Commons Licence (see opposite) and are free for noncommercial use. We also license our images for commercial use. Please contact us directly via our website for more details.