Final answer:
Tongs are true force multipliers and function as levers, where the arrangement of the input force, pivot point (fulcrum), and output force allows for an increased output force with a given input force.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the question is A) True. Tongs indeed function as levers. Levers are simple machines that can multiply force and are characterized by having an input force, an output force, and a pivot point, known as the fulcrum. The tongs have a pivot where they are attached, the input force is applied by our hands when we close the tongs, and the output force is the grip on the item being picked up. This setup multiplies the force we apply to handle objects more easily, making tongs force multipliers.
One way to assess the mechanical advantage (MA) of a lever is by comparing the distances from the fulcrum to the point where input and output forces are applied. For example, in a nail puller, a longer handle increases the distance from the fulcrum to where the input force is applied, which results in a larger force exerted at the output end with the same input effort. This principle similarly applies to various types of levers such as wheelbarrows, shovels, and, as mentioned, tongs.