Simple Machines - Levers

A flexible bar resting on a pivot, used to move a heavy or firmly fixed load with one end when pressure is applied to the other.

Simple machine consisting of a rigid bar that rotates about a fixed point, called a fulcrum. Levers affect the effort, or force, needed to do a certain amount of work, and are used to lift heavy objects.

Fulcrum

Effort

Load

Fulcrum

Effort

Load

Fulcrum

Effort

Load

First Class Lever

Big Lever

Second Class Lever

Small Lever

Third Class Lever

Plastic Lever