Learning about Levers

What do we
know about
Levers?
How many different levers can
we list?
There are 3 different types of Lever
Classes:

1. First Class Lever

2. Second Class Lever
3. Third Class Lever
 How do we
Load
classify a lever?
Effort
Using the location of the
effort/force, load, and
fulcrum will determine the
type of lever.

Fulcrum
Load, Fulcrum, and
Force
Load - is a heavy or a bulky
object.

Fulcrum - is the point on

which the beam pivots (the
action of turning around a
point).

Force- called the effort force

is applied at one point on the
lever in order to move an
object.
YouTube - Simple Machines:Levers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzljPiPy9nw&t=0s
First Class Levers
First class levers have the fulcrum between the
force and the load. In using a screwdriver to lift
the lid from a paint tin you are moving the effort
over a greater distance than the load. By having
the fulcrum (the rim of the tin) close to the lid (the
load) a larger force can be applied to the load to
open the tin. By this means you are reducing the
effort required, this is what first class levers do
best. Other examples of first class levers are
pliers, scissors, a crow bar, a claw hammer, a
see-saw and a weighing balance.
Examples
Second Class Levers

In second class levers the load is

between the effort (force) and the
fulcrum. A common example is a
wheelbarrow where the effort
moves a large distance to lift a
heavy load, with the axle and
wheel as the fulcrum.
Examples
Third Class Levers
In a third class lever, the effort is
located between the load and the
fulcrum.

The load moves further than the

effort (force) and the mechanical
advantage is low, which is why it's
difficult to apply great force to the
load.
Examples
What would this be classified as?
1. First Class Lever

2. Second Class
Lever

3. Third Class lever

Third Class Lever
 Materials:
● a firm ruler (or other
long, firm, flat
object)
● 2 pencils
● a stack of books
 Constructing a lever
1. How many hands or fingers do you
need to lift the stack of books when
using the ruler and pencil as a lever?

2. Does it feel easier or harder to lift

the stack of books when using the
ruler as a lever instead of lifting them
straight up?
 Let’s Review
Lever Classes
Examples
Examples
Examples
 Fulcrum - is the point on
which the beam pivots

FLE (the action of turning

around a point).

Load - is a heavy or a
bulky object.

123 Effort- called the force is

applied at one point on
the lever in order to
move an object.
FLE
123
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 F
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 L

FLE
123 F
F

E FLE
123

L
 FLE
123
E

L
F
 F
L E
FLE
123
F
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L

FLE
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 E F

L FLE
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 FLE
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 Agenda
1 2 3 4 5

Get with a Pick a lever Search up a Searching Think about

partner. out of Miss picture of Clipart can where the
Peake’s your lever be helpful fulcrum, load,
Harry Potter with your because and effort is
cup! partner. you’ll need on your lever,
to draw your then discuss
what class it
lever.
might be.
 Hammer

L FLE
Example
F 123
E
Class #1
 Agenda
1 2 3 4 5

Get with a Pick a lever Search up a Searching Think about

partner. out of Miss picture of Clipart can where the
Peake’s your lever be helpful fulcrum, load,
Harry Potter with your because and effort is
cup! partner. you’ll need on your lever,
to draw your then discuss
what class it
lever.
might be.