A lever is a simple machine consisting of a rigid bar (meaning it does not bend) which pivots at a certain point (pivot/fulcrum) along its length and by the effect of a force (called the effort), it can serve to move an object or overcome another force (referred to as the load).
Types of levers
There are three(3) types of levers:
- First class levers have the fulcrum in between the load and effort. These can be force multipliers or distance multipliers
- Second class levers have the load in between the fulcrum and effort. These are force multipliers
- Third class levers have the effort in between the fulcrum and load. These are distance multipliers
Remember the following:
1-2-3…F-L-E respectively.
Mission details
List some common levers and state their types.
What do you think?
1) The claw hammer is a
- First class lever
- Third class lever
- Second class lever
- Fourth class lever
2) A lever whose pivot is in the middle is a second class lever
- True
- False