Levers

A lever is one of the oldest simple machines. It is a long stiff bar that rests on a point called a fulcrum. When you push down on one end, the other end goes up. Levers help you lift things that would be too heavy to pick up.

Parts of a Lever

A lever has three main parts. The fulcrum is the point it turns on. The load is the thing you want to lift. The effort is the push or pull you give. Moving the fulcrum closer to the load makes lifting easier.

Levers in Our Lives

We use levers every day without even knowing it. A seesaw at the park is a lever. So are scissors, pliers, and bottle openers. Even a wheelbarrow is a kind of lever. Your own body has levers too, like your arms and legs.

Fun Facts

• Archimedes said he could move the world with a long enough lever.
• Your jaw is a lever that helps you chew food.
• A crowbar is a strong lever used to pry things open.

Did You Know?

There are three kinds of levers, and each type has the fulcrum, load, and effort in different places.