Levers and Equilibrium – Basic Principles
How it works
A lever is a simple machine. With a lever, forces can be transmitted. Depending on the length of the lever arms, one can either save force or achieve a greater distance on the other side. A lever rotates around a fixed point, the pivot point (fulcrum). The effect of a lever depends on the applied force and the distance of this force from the pivot point (lever arm). For equilibrium, the following applies: force times force arm on one side is equal to force times force arm on the other side (F1·r1 = F2·r2). Then the moments on both sides balance out.
A lever is in equilibrium when the product of force and lever arm is equal on both sides of the pivot point (F1·r1 = F2·r2).
An example
On a lever, a force of 20 N acts on the left at a distance of 0.5 m from the pivot point. How large must the force on the right be at a distance of 1 m so that the lever is in equilibrium?
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Physics. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.