Science Common Sense

423 - What are levers, and how do they function?

Imagine using a seesaw - that's basically a lever. A lever is a simple machine that helps make it easier to lift or move things. It has three main parts:

1. The 'pivot' (or 'fulcrum') - this is the point that the lever rotates around.
2. The 'effort' (or 'force') - this is where you put the force or push to lift or move something.
3. The 'load' - this is the thing you want to lift or move.

There are three types of levers:

• First-class lever (like a seesaw): Effort and load are on either side of the pivot.
• Second-class lever (like a wheelbarrow): Effort is on one side and load is near the pivot.
• Third-class lever (like a hammer): Effort is near the pivot and load is on the other side.

When you use a lever correctly, it makes it easier to lift or move the load, because the distance and force work together to make it less hard to do.