Explain what distinguishes first class levers from second and third class levers.

A lever is a simple machine which is capable of turning about one point or axis (fulcrum) and in which two or more other points are applied. Levers are used for modifying and transmitting force and motion. Lever is divided into three classes based on the location of fulcrum, load and effort. They include; first, second and third class levers.

What distinguishes first class levers from second and third class levers is the different location of the fulcrum, load and effort in each of them. First class levers have the fulcrum situated between the effort and load, second class levers have the load situated between the effort and the fulcrum, while the third class lever have the effort situated between the load and the fulcrum.

The position of the Fulcrum, load and effort distinguishes between various classes of levers.

The first class lever have the fulcrum positioned between the load and the effort while the second class lever have the load between the fulcrum and the effort, while the third class lever have the effort positioned between the fulcrum,  and the load.

Second class  

Keywords:  levers, classes of levers, load, fulcrum, effort

Level; High school  

Subject: Physics  

Topic: Simple machines  

Sub-topic: Levers