Lab experiment on the three classes of levers


For this experiment you will need:
  • A 15 cm long string
  • A 30 cm long , 3 cm wide wooden board
  • A table
  • A 1.0 kg mass
  • A partner

Class 1 Lever Steps:
  1. Get your 30 cm long wooden board and put it on the edge of your table(the edge of the table is your fulcrum). Half of it's side on and the other half off. (the side on the table should be your load arm).
  2. Get your 1.0 kg mass and put it on top of the load arm
  3. Get your 15 cm long string and make a loop big enough to fit through your wooden board. Hook it to the effort arm
  4. Have a friend to put his/her finger just above the 1.0 kg mass
  5. Pull on the string until the 1.0 kg mass touches your friend's finger

That is was example of a class 1 lever; the fulcrum (the edge of your table) is inbetween the load arm and the effort arm.

Class 2 Lever Steps:
  1. Get your 30cm wooden board and have one end just touching the edge of your table
  2. Get your 1.0 kg mass and put it 15cm from your fulcrum(the edge of the table is the fulcrum)
  3. Get your 15 cm long string and put it on the opposite end of the fulcrum (the edge of the table is the fulcrum)
  4. Have a friend to put his/her finger just above the 1.0 kg mass
  5. Pull on the string until the 1.0 kg mass touches your friend's finger

That was an example of a second class lever; the fulcrum is at the side and your load is close to it, while your effort is far from it.

Class 3 Lever Steps:
  1. Place your wooden board like in class 2
  2. Once you've placed your board, get your 1.0 kg mass and put it on the opposite side of your fulcrum (the edge of your table is the fulcrum)
  3. Get your 15 cm long string and put it 15 cm away from the fulcrum
  4. Have a friend to put his/her finger just above the 1.0 kg mass
  5. Pull on the string until the 1.0kg mass touches your friend's finger

That was an example of a class 3 lever; the fulcrum is at the side and your effort close to it, while your load is far from it.

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