When will the Actual Mechanical Advantage (AMA) be less than the Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA)?

The Actual Mechanical Advantage (AMA) is a measure of the efficiency of a machine in actual working conditions, while the Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA) calculates the theoretical advantage assuming no losses due to external forces, like friction. When friction is present, it creates resistance that must be overcome in order to move the load. This resistance results in an AMA that is lower than the IMA.

Friction dissipates some of the input energy as heat rather than allowing it to be used effectively in moving the load, thereby increasing the effort needed to lift or move the object. Consequently, the ideal scenario of simple calculations for IMA does not account for these energy losses, resulting in a lower AMA in real-world applications where friction is a factor.

Other considerations, like the relative sizes of load and effort, the orientation of the lever arm, or angles of application, do not inherently lead to a consistent discrepancy between AMA and IMA. The presence of friction remains the primary factor that directly affects this relationship, making it the correct response to the question.