A fulcrum is the point of tuning for a lever. Since a fulcrum is essential for a lever, it does not help but rather is needed. The lever and fulcrum are used to move or hold o
…bjects. Levers can be used change the amount of force needed to alter a system of load, lever, and effort. The position of the fulcrum determines the force needed to change the natural equilibrium. There are three classes of levers divided in accordance to the position of the fulcrum. The first class of lever is typically used in a gravitational field with a load at one end of the lever, the fulcrum closer to the load than the middle of the lever, and a force applied near the other end of the lever. The important point is that the fulcrum is between the two forces and on the opposite side. If the lever is longer on the force side, the force needed to move the load is less than the weight of the load, but the load travels a smaller distance than the applied force point moves. This would be used possibly to lift an heavy object. By placing the fulcrum close to the point of force, the load moves farther than the applying force. This can be demonstrated by observing a trebuchet (commonly referred to as a catapult) The second class of lever places the load and the force on the same side of the fulcrum with the load closer to the fulcrum than the applied force. An example of this is the wheelbarrow. Again, the force needed to lift the load is less than the weight of the load. The third class of lever places the force between the fulcrum and the load. Examples of uses for this are chopsticks or ice tongs. ( Full Answer )