Final answer:
The term for the point around which a lever rotates is called the fulcrum. It is crucial for the mechanical advantage and torque generated by a lever, and its location is essential for calculating the MA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term defined as the point upon which a lever turns or rotates is known as the fulcrum. In the context of levers, which are one of the simplest machines, the fulcrum serves as the fixed point around which the lever pivots. A lever consists of a rigid bar that rotates about this point, and it can be used to amplify force through the principle of moments or torques. Torques are associated with the turning effectiveness of a force, which is influenced by the distance from the fulcrum, known as the lever arm. A longer lever arm can result in a larger torque. Therefore, to maximize torque, it's best to apply force perpendicular to the lever arm and as far from the fulcrum as possible.
The fulcrum plays a critical role in the mechanical advantage (MA) of the lever, where MA is the factor by which a machine multiplies the force applied to it. Understanding the location of the fulcrum, along with the distances involved, is essential to calculating the mechanical advantage. Moreover, an interesting aspect of levers is that they can be found in various forms, such as a crank which is a type of lever that can rotate 360° about its pivot and can be designed to have a large MA.