Question

Name the three classes of levers and state how are they distinguished. Give two examples of each class.

Answer 1

Three classes of levers are:

(a) Class I levers or first-order levers:

Examples are:

See Saw	Scissors

Between the effort and the load is the fulcrum.
[Ratio of M.A. and V.R.] for levers in this class can be any value between one and one, either more or less than one. They can multiply forces.

(b) Class II levers or second-order levers:

Examples are -

Lemon squeezer	Wheel Barrow

Between effort and fulcrum is load, with the effort arm always longer than the arm. These levers' M.A. and V.R. are always greater than 1.

(c) Class III levers, or third-order levers:

Examples are

Plucker or Fire Tong, (Sugar Tongs)	Foot Treadle

Always place effort between fulcrum and load. The effort arm is always shorter than the load arm. These levers' M.A. and V.R. are consistently less than 1.