Question

With a class 1 lever, does mechanical advantage increase or decrease as the fulcrum is moved closer to the load? Explain why. ​

Answer 1

L1 F1 = L2 F2 explains balancing torques

F1 = load = counterclockwise torque

F2 = applied force - clockwise torque

L represents distances from fulcrum to the applied forces

F2 = F1 * (L1 / L2) (I)

MA mechanical advantage = (L2 / L1) load over applied force

We can rewrite equation (I) as

load force / applied force = applied distance / load distance

As the fulcrum is moved closer to the load L1 decreases and L2 increases which corresponds to an increase in MA