What is the mechanical advantage of a single fixed pulley?

The mechanical advantage of a single fixed pulley is 1. This means that while the pulley can change the direction of the force applied (allowing you to pull down to lift an object up), it does not increase the force applied. In a single fixed pulley, the load is supported entirely by the tension in the rope, which means that the effort required to lift the load is equal to the weight of the load itself.

Therefore, when you pull on one end of the rope, you are lifting the load on the other end with equal force, leading to a mechanical advantage of 1. This is in contrast to other systems, like movable pulleys or pulley systems that combine multiple pulleys, which can provide a mechanical advantage greater than 1, allowing the user to lift heavier loads with less effort. In summary, while a single fixed pulley makes lifting more convenient by allowing a change in direction, it does not amplify the lifting force, resulting in a mechanical advantage of 1.