How is the Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA) of a screw calculated?

The Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA) of a screw is determined by the relationship between the circumference of the screw and the pitch. The pitch is defined as the distance the screw travels vertically with one complete turn, while the circumference represents the horizontal distance covered in one rotation, which is calculated using the diameter of the screw.

To find IMA for a screw, you divide the circumference by the pitch. This formulation illustrates how many times the screw can lift a load vertically for each unit of distance it moves horizontally. A higher IMA indicates that the screw can lift a load effectively with less input force over a longer distance, which is essential in applications where mechanical advantage is needed, like in lifting or clamping mechanisms.

In contrast to other options, using circumference and pitch directly relates to the function and efficiency of the screw, making this calculation relevant and applicable in mechanical systems.