Lever
Contents
Key Stage 2
Meaning
A lever is a tool which can be used to make lifting easier.
About Levers
- Levers are used to lift cars with a jack, pull out nails with a hammer and to break locks with a crowbar.
- A lever needs a long stiff rod and a pivot.
- A seesaw can work as a lever. If an adult sits close to the centre and a child sits at the far end, the child can lift the adult.
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| A lever makes it easier to lift a heavy object. |
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A lever is a Force Multiplier or a Distance Multiplier that uses a pivot to create a moment.
About Levers
- Levers are used to lift cars with a jack, pull out nails with a hammer and to break locks with a crowbar.
- A lever needs a long stiff rod and a pivot.
| |
| A lever makes it easier to lift a heavy object. |
Extra Information
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A lever is a Force Multiplier or a Distance Multiplier that uses a pivot to create a moment.
About Levers
- Levers work as force multipliers by applying a force of effort at a greater distance from the pivot than the force of load.
- A lever needs a long stiff rod and a pivot.
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| The force of effort is 3 times further from the pivot than the force of load, so the effort is 3 times smaller than the load. |
References
AQA
- Lever, page 170, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Levers, page 57, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Levers, pages 120-122, 127, GCSE Physics; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Levers, pages 130-1, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA
- Levers, pages 166, 167, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA
Edexcel
- Levers, page 137, GCSE Physics, Pearson Edexcel
- Levers, page 213, GCSE Physics, CGP, Edexcel
- Levers, page 69, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel