Levers

Levers

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Overview
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about the levers, including the pivot, load, effort force and fulcrum.

A lever is a machine that changes a small force into a large force. All levers have: 

  • a pivot (fulcrum),
  • a load force, and
  • an effort force.

On each diagram below label the

  • pivot with an X
  • point at which the load acts with an L
  • point at which the effort force acts with an E
An example has been done for you.

garlic press

a)

scissors

b)

 wheel barrow

c)

nut cracker

d)

hammer
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Physical World
Keywords: 
physics concepts, forces, levers, pivots, load, effort, simple machines
Description of task: 
Students are given some information on levers. They use this to label the pivot, load, and effort force on four other common examples of levers.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss using labels to clarify a diagram’s message.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
 

Y10 (11/2001)
a)

2 correct - very easy
1 correct - very easy
b)

2 correct - moderate
 1 correct - easy
c)

2 correct - easy
 1 correct - easy
d)

2 correct - very difficult
 1 correct - easy
Diagnostic and formative information: 

Common errors

d)

  24% of students gave this answer.