where are the force applied on a lever?

Question

well. i'm taking this engineering class and the day they did this i wasn't in school. i really have no idea how to answer this question

Answer 1

Generally, the force is applied at the point of "input force" - that point is determined by what class of lever you're using.

For example, if you're using scissors (First class lever), the fulcrum is at the pivot between the two handles and blades, the input force is at the handle, and the output force is on the blade.

If you're using, say, a wheelbarrow (2nd class lever), the fulcrum is at the wheel, the input is on the handle (end), and the output force is in the middle - in the bucket.

For a baseball bat (third class levers), the input force is in the middle (your hands), fulcrum at one end (you), and the output force is at the other end (the end of the bat).