Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Practice Test 2025 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

A fixed pulley operates by changing the direction of the input force applied to lift a load, which means it provides an easier way to lift an object, but it does not change the amount of force needed. Therefore, the mechanical advantage of a fixed pulley is one, making the force required to lift the object the same as the weight of the object being lifted. This is because you still need to exert a force equal to the weight of the load to lift it, even though you're pulling down to lift the object up.

In contrast, options suggesting that a fixed pulley reduces the needed force, increases the speed, or transforms input force into a greater output force refer to more complex systems or movable pulleys. Those systems can provide significant mechanical advantages by allowing you to lift heavier loads with less force or change the mechanical properties of the lifting system, but that is not the case with a simple fixed pulley.

Thus, the correct choice accurately summarizes the mechanical characteristics of a fixed pulley, reflecting its function and the physics involved.