Final answer:
A rake or a hockey stick is considered a third-class lever, with the human hand providing the effort and acting as the input force while the other end serves as the pivot.
Step-by-step explanation:
A rake or a hockey stick is a third-class lever. In the case of tools like rakes and hockey sticks, the human hand provides the input or effort force, the top end acts as the pivot, and the force exerted on the object, such as leaves or a hockey puck, is the output or resistance force. This contrasts with a pry bar, which typically operates as a first-class lever where the fulcrum is between the input and output forces. Levers like a wheelbarrow and shovel also have their own characteristics in terms of where the input and output forces are in relation to the pivot. In the case of a baseball bat, the input force is applied over a large distance at the end opposite to the one hitting the ball, providing a great deal of speed to the far end of the bat, where the ball is struck. In contrast, a lever such as a pry bar is used to exert a high force over a short distance when prying something up.