1.5.2

Levers

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Levers

Levers make lifting or moving something easier. They use mechanical advantage (MA) to do this.

Levers

Levers

  • Mechanical advantage is where the force that comes out is more than the force that is put in.
    • MA = Load/Effort
  • By using levers the force of effort can be reduced for the same load.
  • There are two parts to a lever:
    • A bar.
    • A fulcrum (pivot).
Effort, load and pivot

Effort, load and pivot

  • There are three factors to consider:
    • The effort: the force that is input.
    • The load: the force that is output.
    • Position of the fulcrum (pivot).

Classes of Lever

Levers use mechanical advantage (MA) to make lifting or moving things easier. There are three factors to consider: the effort (the force that is input), the load (the force that is output) and the position of the fulcrum (pivot).

Class 1 - First order lever

Class 1 - First order lever

  • The effort and the load are on either side and the fulcrum is in between.
    • Examples include a pair of scissor and a see-saw.
  • Mechanical advantage (MA) will increase if:
    • The load is closer to the fulcrum.
    • The effort is further away from the fulcrum.
  • The see-saw will have a greater MA if one side is longer than the other.
Class 2 - Second order lever

Class 2 - Second order lever

  • The effort is at the opposite end to the fulcrum and the load is in between.
    • Examples include a wheelbarrow and nut cracker.
  • Mechanical advantage (MA) will increase if:
    • The load is closer to the fulcrum.
    • The effort is further away from the fulcrum.
  • The wheelbarrow will have a greater MA if the handle is longer and the load is close to the wheel.
Class 3 - Third order lever

Class 3 - Third order lever

  • The load is at the opposite end to the fulcrum and the effort is in the middle.
    • Examples include tweezers and a stapler.
  • Third order levers are used when you want the force coming out to be less than the force going in.
  • This is very useful for products such as tweezers when a gentle force is needed.
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1

Core Technical Principles

1.1

New & Emerging Technologies

1.1.1Industry1.1.2Enterprise1.1.3Sustainability1.1.4People1.1.5Culture & Society1.1.6Environment1.1.7Production Techniques & Systems1.1.8Emerging Technologies & Design1.1.9End of Topic Test - New & Emerging Technologies1.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Emerging Technologies
1.2

Energy Generation & Storage

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Developments in New Materials

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1.4

Systems Approach to Designing

1.4.1Inputs1.4.2Processes1.4.3Outputs1.4.4Looped Systems
1.5

Mechanical Devices

1.5.1Types of Movement1.5.2Levers1.5.3Linkages1.5.4Rotary Systems1.5.5End of Topic Test - Designing & Mechanical Devices
1.6

Materials Categories

1.6.1Timbers1.6.2Metals & Alloys1.6.3Metals & Alloys 21.6.4Polymers1.6.5Polymer Types1.6.6Textiles1.6.7Textile Types: Fibres1.6.8Textile Types: Weave1.6.9Paper & Boards
1.7

Material Properties

1.7.1Physical & Working Properties1.7.2End of Topic Test - Materials1.7.3Exam-Style Questions - Materials
2

Paper & Board: Specialist Technical Principles

2.1

Selection of Materials

2.1.1Paper & Boards2.1.2Working with Paper & Boards
2.2

Paper & Board: Forces & Stresses

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Paper & Board: Ecological & Social Footprint

2.3.1Paper & Board: Ecological & Social Footprint2.3.2Paper & Board: The Six Rs2.3.3Social Issues
2.4

Paper & Board: Sources & Origins

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2.5

Paper & Board: Using Materials

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2.6

Paper & Board: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes

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Paper & Board: Scales of Production

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Paper & Board: Specialist Techniques & Processes

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Paper & Board: Surface Treatments & Finishes

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3

Timber: Specialist Technical Principles

3.1

Timber: Selection of Materials

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3.2

Timber: Forces & Stresses

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Timber: Ecological & Social Footprint

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3.4

Timber: Sources & Origins

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3.5

Timber: Using Materials

3.5.1Timber: Properties of Materials3.5.2Timber: Modification of Materials3.5.3Timber: Shape & Form3.5.4Timber: Shape & Form 2
3.6

Timber: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes

3.6.1Timber: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes
3.7

Timber: Scales of Production

3.7.1Timber: Scales of Production
3.8

Timber: Specialist Techniques & Processes

3.8.1Timber: Tools, Equipment & Processes3.8.2Timber: Tools, Equipment & Processes 23.8.3Timber: Quality Control
3.9

Timber: Surface Treatments & Finishes

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4

Metal: Specialist Technical Principles

4.1

Metals: Selection of Materials

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4.2

Metals: Forces & Stresses

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4.3

Metals: Ecological & Social Footprint

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Metals: Sources & Origins

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4.5

Metals: Alloy-Based Materials

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4.6

Metals: Using Materials

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4.7

Metals: Scales of Production

4.7.1Metals: Scales of Production
4.8

Metals: Specialist Techniques & Processes

4.8.1Metals: Tools4.8.2Metals: Tools & Equipment4.8.3Metals: Cutting, Forming & Machining Processes4.8.4Metals: Joining, Casting & Heat Treatment Process
4.9

Metals: Quality Control

4.9.1Metals: Quality Control4.9.2Metals: Quality Control Processes
4.10

Metals: Surface Treatments & Finishes

4.10.1Metals: Surface Treatments4.10.2Metals: Surface Treatments for Metals4.10.3Metals: Finishes4.10.4Metals: Finishing Techniques for Metals
5

Polymers: Specialist Technical Principles

5.1

Polymers

5.1.1Polymers: Functionality & Aesthetics5.1.2Polymers: Environment & Ethics5.1.3Polymers: Sources, Origins & Properties5.1.4Polymers: Forces & Stresses5.1.5Polymers: Ecological & Social Footprint5.1.6Polymers: The Six R's
5.2

Polymer Categories

5.2.1Categories of Polymers5.2.2Thermoforming Polymers5.2.3Thermosetting Polymers
5.3

Polymer Forms

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5.4

Polymer Production, Techniques & Quality Control

5.4.1Polymers: Scales of Production5.4.2Polymers: Specialist Techniques & Processes5.4.3Polymers: Quality Control Systems: Tolerance5.4.4Polymers: Finishes
6

Textiles: Specialist Technical Principles

6.1

Textile Materials

6.1.1Origin of Textiles6.1.2Textile Industry
6.2

Selection of Materials

6.2.1Natural Fibres6.2.2Synthetic Fibres6.2.3Environmental Concerns6.2.4Environmental Impact6.2.5Ethical Challenges
6.3

Forces & Stresses

6.3.1Forces & Stresses
6.4

Ecological & Social Footprint

6.4.1Ecological Footprint6.4.2Social Footprint6.4.3Addressing Ecological & Social Footprints6.4.4The Six R's6.4.5Labour Conditions6.4.6Social Issues6.4.7Addressing Social Issues
7

Designing & Making Principles

7.1

Investigation & Data

7.1.1Iterative Design7.1.2Primary & Secondary Data7.1.3Market Research7.1.4Ergonomics7.1.5Specifications7.1.6End of Topic Test - Investigation & Data7.1.7Exam-Style Questions - Specifications
7.2

Environmental, Social & Economic Challenges

7.2.1Challenges7.2.2Your Research
7.3

The Work of Others

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7.4

Design Strategies

7.4.1Design Strategies
7.5

Communication of Design Ideas

7.5.1Design Communication
7.6

Prototype Development

7.6.1Prototype Development
7.7

Selection of Materials

7.7.1Materials
7.8

Tolerances

7.8.1Tolerances
7.9

Material Management

7.9.1Managing Material7.9.2Tools
7.10

Specialist Equipment

7.10.1Health & Safety
7.11

Specialist Techniques & Processes

7.11.1Specialist Techniques & Processes7.11.2Surface Finishes7.11.3End of Topic Test - Designing & Making

Practice questions on Levers

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    The two parts to a lever:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    What does MA stand for?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    The three factors to consider:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    What class of lever is this an example of?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What class of lever is this an example of?Multiple choice
Answer all questions on Levers

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Types of Movement

Linkages