13
Scientific analysis: mechanical advantage with levers
The lever is a simple machine built by man to perform work by reducing the force required. Two forces are applied on the rod:
EFFORT and RESISTANCE. Using a lever, therefore, we have a MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE that can be calculated by considering
also the length of the EFFORT and RESISTANCE arms. In the lever, the lengths of the arms correspond to the distances from the
fulcrum.
ASSEMBLE AND TEST THE LEVERS
15
Build the lever's fulcrum and weight
Key: = EFFORT arm
= RESISTANCE arm
= EFFORT force
= RESISTANCE force
EQUILIBRIUM CONDITIONS
x = x
MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE A = /
ra
R
ea
E
ra
R
ea
E
ra
R
ea
E
R E
FULCRUM
1
X1
X3
X2
X4
X1
X7
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