In physics, mechanical efficiency is the effectiveness of a machine and is defined as

$\backslash mbox\{Efficiency\}\; =\; \backslash frac\{\backslash mathrm\{Mechanical\; Advantage\}\}\{\backslash mathrm\{Ideal\; Mechanical\; Advantage\}\}$

Efficiency is often indicated by a percentage, the efficiency of an ideal machine is 100%. Due to the fact that energy cannot emerge from nothing and the Second law of thermodynamics which states that the quality of energy will always decrease (transforming from mechanical to thermal energy) the efficiency of machines will always be less than 100%.

See also

• Thermodynamic efficiency

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