10.

1 Types of Levers
10.2 Moment of a Force
10.3 Innovative Efforts in the
design of Machines

10.1 Types of Levers

A machine is a device that helps us to
overcome a load with less effort or force.
Devices that are classed as simple machines
are:

The lever
The pulley
The wedge
The screw
The inclined and plane
The wheel and axel

10.1 Types of Levers

A lever is an example of a simple machine
which turns about a fixed point called the
fulcrum (F) when a force, called the effort (E),
is applied to overcome a resisting force called
the load (L).

10.1 Types of Levers

Using a lever to overcome a large load with a
small effort

10.1 Types of Levers

The various devices that use the principle of
levers.

10.1 Types of Levers

Load (L): the boulder to be lift
Effort (E): the force used by the man to lift
the boulder
Fulcrum (F): the point about which the stick
turns

10.1 Types of Levers

First Class Lever
- Fulcrum is between the effort and the load
-Effort moves a longer distance but the load
moves a shorter distance
- Fulcrum near to the load

10.1 Types of Levers

Second Class Lever
- Load is between the fulcrum and the effort
-Effort moves a longer distance but the load
moves a shorter distance

10.1 Types of Levers

Third Class Lever
- Effort is between the fulcrum and the load
-Effort moves a shorter distance but the load
moves a longer distance

10.1 Types of Levers

The Principle of Levers
Load (N) x Distance of the = Force or x Distance of the
load from the
effort (N)
force from the
fulcrum (m)
fulcrum (m)

Load

load arm

= Effort

effort arm

10.1 Types of Levers

Example 1

What effort is required to keep the lever in a horizontal position?

Load x load arm
2 N x 30 cm
Effort

=
=
=
=

Effort x effort arm

Effort x (80 30) cm
2 x 30 N
50
1.2 N

10.1 Types of Levers

Example 2

Calculate the weight of the load.

Load x load arm = Effort x effort arm
Load x (100 60) cm = 4 N x 100 cm
Load = 4 x 100 N
40
= 10 N

10.1 Types of Levers

Example 3

At what distance from the fulcrum must the effort act to maintain
the lever in a horizontal position?
Load x load arm = Effort x effort arm
9 N x 80 cm = 12 N x Y cm
Y = 9 x 80 N
12
= 60 cm

10.2 Moment of a Force

When a force is applied to an object, it can
turn the object about a certain point called
the fulcrum or pivot. This turning effect of a
force is called the moment of a force.
Moment of a force depends on:
The force (F) applied
The perpendicular distance (d) from the pivot to
the force (F).

10.2 Moment of a Force

Moment of a force = Force x Perpendicular distance from
(Nm)
(N)
the pivot to the force (m)
= Fxd
Unit for the moment of a force: Newton-meter (Nm)

The greater the force used, the greater is the moment of the force
The longer the distance, the greater is the moment of the force

10.2 Moment of a Force

Example
A father weighing 600 N and his son weighing 300 N, at 0.6 m and 1.3 m
respectively, away from the pivot of a sea-saw. Calculate the moment of each
force about the pivot and state whether it is clockwise or anticlockwise.
Explain the movements of the father and his son.
Moment of the force of the father (clockwise)

= 600 N x 0.6 m
= 360 Nm clockwise
Moment of the force of the son (anti-clockwise) = 300 N x 1.3 m
= 390 Nm anti-clockwise
The moment of the force of the son is greater, so the father will be moving up
while the son is going down.

10.3 Innovative efforts in the Design

of Machines

The great pyramids of Egypt and the Great

Wall of China were built using simple tools
such as levers, rollers, wedges and inclined
planes.

10.3 Innovative efforts in the Design

of Machines
Today we have invented, designed and built
complex machines.
Trains travelling at high speeds on land
Ships and submarines travelling on the sea and
under the sea
Supersonic planes flying through the air
Spaces exploring outer space and landing
astronauts on the moon.