Levers and Pulleys Interactive Simulation

A lever is a rigid beam that pivots at a fulcrum. The law of the lever says the effort times its distance from the fulcrum equals the load times its distance (Fe·de = Fl·dl). A longer effort arm gives a mechanical advantage — you can lift a heavier load with a smaller force. Students can change effort force and effort arm and compare what happens. Use it for physics inquiry with Grades 3–4, Middle School, and High School on a projector or student device.

• How moving the fulcrum closer to the load multiplies your force
• Why a see-saw balances when heavier people sit closer to the centre
• Reading the law of the lever with your own forces and distances
• How mechanical advantage tells you how much force you save

1. 1Predict how changing effort force will affect the load force, then test the prediction.
2. 2Use evidence from the live calculation and visual to explain the result.

Questions teachers ask