In simple machines, 'velocity ratio' is defined as?

In the context of simple machines, 'velocity ratio' is indeed defined as the ratio of the distance moved by the effort to the distance moved by the load. This concept is crucial because it reflects how a simple machine allows a smaller effort to move a larger load over a corresponding distance.

When a force is applied to the input (the effort), the machine translates that force and allows the load to move a different distance. The velocity ratio essentially indicates how much the effort distance exceeds the load distance, providing insight into the mechanical advantage offered by the machine.

Understanding this relationship is fundamental in mechanics, as it helps in analyzing how machines work to make tasks easier by amplifying forces and distances. Factors like friction and other losses are not included in the velocity ratio, which specifically focuses on the distances moved rather than the forces involved, thus providing a clear and simplified understanding of the machine's efficiency in movement.