Have you ever used a see-saw at the playground? A see-saw is a kind of lever. A lever is a simple machine that helps us lift or move heavy things more easily.
Parts of a lever
Every lever has three important parts:
- Fulcrum - the point where the lever turns.
- Load - the object we want to move.
- Effort - the push or pull we use.
Key idea
A lever makes work easier. With a lever we can lift a heavy load using less effort.
Levers around us
Many everyday tools are levers. A see-saw, a bottle opener, scissors and a wheelbarrow are all levers. They help us do hard jobs with less effort. When the effort is far from the fulcrum, it is even easier to lift the load.
Example
To open a paint tin, we push a screwdriver under the lid. The edge of the tin is the fulcrum, the lid is the load, and our hand gives the effort.
Remember
- A lever has three parts: fulcrum, load and effort.
- A lever makes lifting heavy things easier.