Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Practice Test

The correct interpretation of how a movable pulley affects the direction of the force applied is that it changes that direction. A movable pulley allows you to pull down on the rope to lift an object upward, effectively changing the direction of the force that you exert. This is one of the primary functions of a movable pulley—it makes lifting easier by allowing the user to apply force in a more convenient direction.

In many pulley systems, especially fixed pulleys, the direction might not change, but the movable pulley specifically alters the line of action of the applied force, making lifting tasks more manageable. Thus, while force may be transferred or distributed in different ways in a mechanical system, the key benefit here is the directional change that aids in lifting.