Tools and levers

Common tools and levers use the principle of moments to work.

A lever is any device that can turn about a pivot. In a lever, a force (or effort) is used to overcome a load. Familiarize yourself with the position of the effort, load and fulcrum in the levers below.

Wheelbarrow

TrowelForearm

Force Multipliers

Levers are also examples of force multipliers because they use a small force to overcome a larger load. The smaller force (effort) moves through a larger distance than the load it overcomes.