Question

Difficulty: HardLevers and Fulcrums

Match each mechanical device or system to its correct lever classification and corresponding mechanical advantage (MA) characteristics.

  • A hydraulic excavator arm lifting dirt, where the cylinder pushes upward on the boom at a point between the main base hinge and the loaded bucket.Third-Class Lever; multiplies distance and speed at the expense of requiring greater effort force.
  • A hinged nutcracker being squeezed, where the hard walnut is positioned between the hinge joint and the user's squeezing hands.Second-Class Lever; multiplies effort force but requires the effort to move through a greater distance.
  • A steel pry bar lifting a heavy concrete slab, where a small block of wood acts as a pivot point placed very close to the concrete slab.First-Class Lever configured to multiply effort force; the effort arm is strictly longer than the load arm.
  • A trebuchet siege engine launching a projectile, where a massive counterweight applies downward force on a short arm to pivot a much longer throwing arm.First-Class Lever configured to multiply speed and distance; the load arm is strictly longer than the effort arm.

Answer

The correct matches pair each mechanical system with its corresponding lever classification based on the sequence of Effort, Fulcrum, and Load.
Each system perfectly aligns with the fundamental definitions of the three lever classes based on the relative positions of the fulcrum, effort, and load. Class 1 has the fulcrum in the middle, Class 2 has the load in the middle, and Class 3 has the effort in the middle.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the excavator arm's force arrangement.
The hydraulic cylinder (effort) acts between the hinge (fulcrum) and bucket (load).
Having the effort in the middle defines a third-class lever, which always has a mechanical advantage less than 1 to multiply speed and distance.
2
Analyze the nutcracker's force arrangement.
The walnut (load) is located between the hinge (fulcrum) and hands (effort).
Having the load in the middle defines a second-class lever, which always has a mechanical advantage greater than 1 to multiply force.
3
Analyze the pry bar's force arrangement.
The wood block (fulcrum) is between the hands (effort) and slab (load), close to the slab.
Having the fulcrum in the middle makes it a first-class lever. Placing it close to the load creates a longer effort arm, yielding a mechanical advantage greater than 1.
4
Analyze the trebuchet's force arrangement.
The pivot (fulcrum) is between the counterweight (effort) and projectile (load), but closer to the counterweight.
Having the fulcrum in the middle makes it a first-class lever. The longer load arm means the mechanical advantage is less than 1, multiplying the speed of the projectile.

Key Concept

Identifying Lever Classes and Mechanical Advantage
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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