Need help understanding why measured output work exceeds input work

[Mass Torque System]

Hello everyone, and thanks in advance for taking the time to look at this. I’m working on a small mechanical project and I’m trying to understand the math behind what I’m measuring. I don’t want to post any links right away in case that violates forum rules, but if it’s allowed, I can share a short demo video and a roadmap that show the mechanism in action. Please let me know if that’s acceptable before I post anything external.

I’m experimenting with a lever‑based mechanism that stores gravitational energy and then releases it to pull a small sled. I’m still learning the proper terminology, so I’m hoping to get help understanding whether I’m interpreting the math correctly or missing something important.

Here are the measurements from one full input‑and‑output cycle:

Input (cocking the lever):
Force: 0.23 ounces
Distance: 14 centimeters
Time: 1.0 second

Work_in = 0.23 × 14 = 3.22 ounce‑centimeters
Power_in = 3.22 ÷ 1.0 = 3.22 ounce‑centimeters per second

Output (sled being pulled):
Force: 10.5 ounces
Distance: 5 centimeters
Time: 0.8 seconds

Work_out = 10.5 × 5 = 52.5 ounce‑centimeters
Power_out = 52.5 ÷ 0.8 = 65.63 ounce‑centimeters per second

Ratios:
Work_out / Work_in ≈ 16.3
Power_out / Power_in ≈ 20.4

Based on these numbers, the output work and output power appear much larger than the input values. I’m not claiming anything unusual — I’m just trying to understand how to interpret these results correctly. It may be that I’m not accounting for all the inputs, or that I’m misunderstanding how energy is stored and released inside the mechanism.

Any feedback, corrections, or guidance would be greatly appreciated. If it’s okay with the moderators, I can also share a short video and diagram to make the setup clearer.

Thanks again for your time.

 

[The Highlander]

Based on these numbers, the output work and output power appear much larger than the input values. I’m not claiming anything unusual — I’m just trying to understand how to interpret these results correctly. It may be that I’m not accounting for all the inputs, or that I’m misunderstanding how energy is stored and released inside the mechanism.

You would, indeed, be claiming something (very) unusual (if there was any scientific rigour in what you appear to be doing).

The (Output) work done in moving your sled simply cannot exceed the (Input) work stored in your lever mechanism. That is a basic principle of Science. You cannot get more out than you put in (contradicting that fact is the principle of perpetual motion machines! ).

Why are you using such archaic units? Even in America these days, most (sensible) projects adopt the SI units; I'm afraid foot-pounds and, even worse, ounce-centimetres are units that need to be consigned to history!

However, looking at your picture(s), I note that you have weighed things on a set of scales and the weight of your sled appears to be c.10.5 oz. which makes me wonder if that is what you are using as the "Force" involved in moving your sled. The sled's Weight (10.54 oz) is, of course, a(n indirect) measure of its Mass and, although that will be a contributing factor in determining the actual Force required to move it through 5 cm, it is not the same thing!

How are you measuring the Forces involved in your project?

I suspect accurate measurements of (all) the parameters involved in the system you describe may be beyond the enthusiastic amateur. The equipment required to measure these things (accurately) would be fairly sophisticated (& possibly quite expensive); a set of kitchen scales simply won't suffice.

I would suggest you just play with your project and see if you can get it to do what you had hoped it might when you first had the idea. If it eventually does what you were aiming for then I would be satisfied with that and not worry too much about the underlying Physics (or Power & Energy measurements).

Hope that helps.