What is a lever.?

Answer 1

A lever is a simple machine, which can be part of more complex mechanical devices. The basic lever consists of a stiff bar or rod placed across a support structure called a fulcrum. Using the lever, an applied force can be multiplied. This can convert small forces over a long distance into a large force over a short distance (or vice versa).

The lever takes advantage of the formula F = MD (force= mass x distance).

Levers are of three basic types, depending on the location of the force and the fulcrum.

1. The fulcrum is between the applied force and the load (output force). Example : seesaw, crowbar
2. The load is between the force and the fulcrum. Example : wheelbarrow (weight carried by wheel)
3. The force is applied between the fulcrum and the load. Example : human elbow, when bending

A lever is a simple machine consisting of a beam or rigid rod pivoted at a fixed hinge, or fulcrum.

Any object which when used has a pivot point (a point it turns about) sometimes called the fulcrum, so that you can apply a force at one point (called effort) and a force is then applied on another object (called resistance). Because of differing distances between the fulcrum and the effort compared to the distance between the fulcrum and the resistance, the effort may be increased, which is the usual effect desired, or speed may be increased.

The claw of a hammer is an example. The pivot point it the point of contact with the wood. A nail driven into the wood cannot be pulled by your hand alone, but your hand supplied the effort on the handle of the hammer and the claw pulls on the nail, the resistance, and the effort becomes greater so that it pulls the nail.