 Lever is a simple machine which operates

according to the principles of moment.

 Lever is a rigid bar which can rotate about a

fixed point when a force is applied to
overcome a resistance.
 Lever – A bar that is free to move about a
fixed point
◦ Parts of a lever
 Fulcrum – The fixed point of a lever
 Effort Arm – The part of the lever that the effort force
is applied to (measured from the fulcrum to the point
at which the force is applied)
 Resistance Arm – The part of the lever that applies the
resistance force (measured from the fulcrum to the
center of the resistance force)
 Lever perform two important functions
◦ They are used either to overcome a larger
resistance than the effort applied.
OR
◦ To increase the distance a resistance can be moved
through by applying greater effort than the
resistance.
◦ Note: When there is no motion, the effort turning
effect equals the resistance turning effect, and the
lever system is said to be balanced.
 Lever arms are commonly defined as the
portion of the lever between the fulcrum and
the force point.
 The effort arm is the distance between the

fulcrum and the effort point.

 The resistance arm is the distance between

the fulcrum and the resistance point.

 By using the length of the effort arm and the
resistance arm we can find the ideal
mechanical advantage.
◦ Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA) – if there were no
energy lost due to friction the

length of effort arm le

IMA = =
.
length of resistance arm lr
 1st Class Levers
 2nd Class Levers
 3rd Class Levers
 The fulcrum is located between the Fe
and the Fr. First class levers can multiply
force and distance.
◦ Examples: Scissors, see-saw
 Resistance is located between the effort force
and the fulcrum. These levers multiply the
force but the direction stays the same.
◦ Example: Wheelbarrow
 The effort force is located between the
fulcrum and the resistance. The effort arm
is always shorter than the resistance arm so it
cannot multiply the force and the MA is
always less than 1.
◦ Examples: Rake, hockey stick
 A lever of any class will balance when the
product of the effort arm and effort equal to
the product of resistance arm and resistance.
 This is known as principle of levers.
 It enables us to calculate the amount of effort

needed to balance a known resistance.

If any three of the four values are known the
remaining one can be calculated by using the
following equation.
E x EA = R x RA
Where: E = Effort
EA = Effort Arm
R = Resistance
RA = Resistance Arm
 A lever whose effort arm is longer of the two
whether it be a Ist or IInd class lever, is said
to favor force. (Less effort is required to
overcome a resistance )
 Conversely, a lever whose resistance arm is

longer, whether it be a Ist or IIIrd class lever,

is said to favor speed and distance.
 In angular movement speed and range are
interdependent.
 For instance if two IIIrd class lever of different

length moves through a 40 degree angle at

the same angular velocity, the tip of the
longer lever will be traveling a greater
distance than the tip of the shorter lever.
 Since both the lever is traveling their distance
in equal time the longer lever must be
traveling faster than the shorter lever.
 Skill in motor performance depends upon the
effective selection and use of levers, both
internal and external.
 Long golf clubs are selected for distance and
shorter clubs for accuracy at close range.
 Heavy base ball bats are chosen by those with
good strength whereas children are often
taught tennis with short handled racquets
 In most instance the external levers are
designed for a specific purpose and are
selected accordingly.
 Whereas the levers in the human body are not

designed for one action or purpose, so the

sports person must use his body parts as a
lever as per the requirement.
 Shorter body levers increases angular velocity
while the positioning of body parts to form a
long position favor linear speed and range of
motion.
 For identifying a lever one should find the
following answers:
◦ What is the location of the fulcrum
◦ Where is the effort point and where is the
resistance point
◦ What is the length of effort arm
◦ What is the length of resistance arm
◦ What are the relative length of effort and resistance
arm
◦ What kind of movement does it favors
Levers Quiz
Use the following
slides to quiz
yourself on how
how well you can
match commonly
used items with
their correct class
of lever.
Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2
Class3
Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2
Class 3
Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

 Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2
Class 3
Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2
Class 3
Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2
Class 3
Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2
Class 3
Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2
Class 3
Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2
Class 3
Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

 Chose the correct Lever classification for the tool pictured below.

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3