Numerical Problems Based on Lever’s mechanical advantage

Last updated on June 26th, 2023 at 05:04 pm

Here you will find Numerical Problems based on Lever’s mechanical advantage. Try to solve and if required refer to the solutions given. We will continuously add newer problems.

Formula Used

Mechanical Advantage = Effort arm / Load arm
Mechanical Advantage = Load/effort

To get the Concepts of fulcrum location for 3 types of levers: read about 3 types of lever

Numerical Problems Based on Lever’s Mechanical Advantage

1 )
Calculate the mechanical advantage of a class 2 lever such that the length of the rod is 2 m and the load is placed at a distance equal to 1/3 rd of the rod from the fulcrum.

Solution:
Class II lever: Fulcrum and Effort are at the 2 ends of the lever rod.

That means Effort Arm = length of the rod = 2 m.
Load arm = (1/3) distance of lever rod = (1/3) * 2 m = 2/3 m

Then, Mechanical Advantage = Effort arm / Load arm = 2/(2/3) = 3
Answer: 3

Reference: Lever’s mechanical advantage

2 ) Calculate the mechanical advantage of a class 3 lever such that the length of the rod is 2 m and effort is placed at a distance equal to 1/3 of the lever rod length from the fulcrum.

Solution:
Class III lever: Fulcrum and Load are at the 2 ends of the lever rod.

That means Load Arm = length of the rod = 2 m.
Effort arm = (1/3) distance of lever rod = (1/3) * 2 m = 2/3 m

Then, Mechanical Advantage = Effort arm / Load arm = (2/3)/2 = 1/3
Answer: 1/3

Reference: Lever’s mechanical advantage

3 ) Calculate the mechanical advantage of a class 1 lever such that the length of the rod is 2 m and effort is placed at a distance equal to 1/3 of the lever rod length from the fulcrum.

Solution:
Class I lever: Effort and Load are at the 2 ends of the lever rod. Fulcrum is in between effort and load.
Effort arm = (1/3) distance of lever rod = (1/3) * 2 meter = 2/3 m
That means Load Arm = length of the rod – effort arm= (2 – 2/3)m = 4/3 m
Then, Mechanical Advantage = Effort arm / Load arm = (2/3)/(4/3) = 1/2
Answer: 1/2

Reference: Lever’s mechanical advantage

Refer to the related tutorials:

Lever’s mechanical advantage

Velocity ratio