Question

A second class lever is used to lift a 500 lb. load, that sits 1.328 feet from the fulcrum of a wheelbarrow. How far from the fulcrum must you stand, in order to lift the weight with only 275 pounds

Answer 1

To lift a 500 lb load with 275 lb of effort using a second class lever like a wheelbarrow, the effort must be applied approximately 2.4189 feet from the fulcrum.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking about the principle of levers in the context of a second class lever, specifically the operation of a wheelbarrow as an example. In a second class lever, the load is positioned between the effort and the fulcrum. The formula to calculate the distance from the fulcrum where the effort must be applied is determined using the principle of moments: Load × Load Distance = Effort × Effort Distance. Given the load of 500 lb and an effort of 275 lb, we can calculate the effort distance as follows:

500 lb × 1.328 feet = 275 lb × Effort Distance

Effort Distance = (500 lb × 1.328 feet) / 275 lb

Effort Distance = 2.4189 feet (approximately)

Thus, the effort must be applied 2.4189 feet from the fulcrum to lift the 500 lb load with an effort of 275 pounds.