One of the most common topics covered in a high school physics class is simple machines. An I think the compound pulley is the coolest simple machine. Let's start with some basic physics. Work-Energy Principle The compound pulley, like all simple machines, uses the work-energy principle. I will skip theexplanation of energy (it's very abstract) and start with this: Don't worry about the change in energy and just look at the definition of work.

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