Question

Study the diagram alongside and answer the following questions.

1. What kind of lever is shown in diagram?
2. Derive ideal mechanical advantage of this lever.
3. Give two examples of this lever.

Answer 1

a. It is a Class II lever (or second-order lever).

The load (L) is located in the middle, between the fulcrum (F) and the effort (E).

b. According to the Principle of Levers:

Load (L) × Load Arm (FB) = Effort (E) × Effort Arm (FA)

\[ \frac{L}{E} = \frac{FA}{FB} \]

Since Mechanical Advantage (M.A.) is defined as \[ \frac{\text{Load}}{\text{Effort}} \]:

\[ \text{Ideal M.A.} = \frac{\text{Effort Arm } ({FA})}{\text{Load Arm } ({FB})} \]

Here, the Effort Arm is always longer than the Load Arm, so its M.A. is always greater than 1.

c. Two examples are a nutcracker and a wheelbarrow.