AS: Levers Flashcards
3 components of lever system
Fulcrum
Load
Effort
Middle Component of 1st Class System
Fulcrum
Middle Component of 2nd Class System
Load
Middle Component of 3rd Class System
Effort
Location of Fulcrum in body
Joint (Elbow joint)
Location of Load in body
Weight or resistance (e.g. free weight)
Location of Effort in body
Muscular force (e.g. Force created by biceps brachii)
Primary function of 1st class lever system
Increase speed at which an object can move (Seesaw)
Primary function of 2nd class lever system
Used to overcome extremely heavy loads (e.g. wheelbarrow)
Primary function of 3rd class lever system
Used to increase the speed that a load can move (bicep curl)
What is mechanical advantage?
The effort arm is longer than the load arm
Effective at overcoming heavy loads with small effort
What is mechanical disadvantage?
Load arm is longer than effort arm
Requires large effort to move small load
What is the load arm?
Distance between the load and fulcrun
What is the effort arm?
Distance between the effort and fulcrum
Example of 1st class lever system in the body:
- Extension of neck when heading a football
- Elbow when throwing a ball
