Which class of lever has the load situated between the fulcrum and the effort?

• A. First class lever
• B. Second class lever
• C. Third class lever
• D. None of the above

Answer: (B)

Levers are classified by the order of the fulcrum, load, and effort along the bar. In a second class lever, the load sits between the fulcrum and the effort. This arrangement gives you a longer effort arm and a shorter load arm, so you can lift a heavier load with less input force, though you must move the effort through a greater distance. A wheelbarrow is a classic example: the wheel provides the fulcrum, the load sits on the bar between the wheel and the handles, and you apply force at the handles. Because of this setup, the load is between the fulcrum and the effort, which makes it the correct classification. First class levers have the fulcrum between load and effort, and third class levers have the effort between fulcrum and load.