The equation below is used to calculate the mechanical advantage of an ideal wheel and axle.


mechanical advantage =
wheel radius
__________
axle radius


A student compares two wheel-and-axle simple machines. Machine 1 has a wheel radius of 50 centimeters, and an axle radius of 10 centimeters. Machine 2 has a wheel radius of 100 centimeters, and an axle radius of 10 centimeters. What is true of these simple machines’ mechanical advantage?
A.
Machine 1’s mechanical advantage is greater, which means that this machine can do more work with less force than Machine 2.

B.
Machine 1’s mechanical advantage is greater, which means that this machine can move faster than Machine 2.

C.
Machine 2’s mechanical advantage is greater, which means that this machine can do more work with less force than Machine 1.

D.
Machine 2’s mechanical advantage is greater, which means that this machine can move faster than Machine 1.