Levers Flashcards
How many different types of levers are there?
3
What are the names of the 3 levers?
1st class lever 2nd class lever 3rd class lever
What does FLE stand for?
Fulcrum
Load
Effort
What does fulcrum mean?
The fulcrum is where the rotation/movement of the lever takes place.
Where does the fulcrum take place?
In the body, the fulcrum is the joint.
What does load mean?
The load is any weight that needs to be moved.
Where does the load take place?
In the body, the load is the weight of the moving body part.
What does effort mean?
The effort is the force needed to move the load.
Where does the effort take place?
In the body, the effort is the muscle.
What are the functions of the lever?
- To produce the necessary force to move a load
- To produce a larger range of movement
- To increase the speed of body movement
What is the mechanical advantage equation?
Mechanical advantage = effort arm / resistance arm
What is in the 1st class lever?
Effort - Fulcrum - Load
What is in the 2nd class lever?
Effort - Load - Fulcrum
What is in the 3rd class lever?
Load - Effort - Fulcrum
What does the 1st class lever enable?
Enables movement to be balanced, and produces a wider range of movement than a second-class lever, but can produce less force.
What does the 2nd class lever enable?
It allows a mechanical advantage, so this allows to produce a large force to overcome a heavy load. This results in a lack of motion and speed.
What does the 3rd class lever enable?
It allows a mechanical advantage. Enables quick movements and a large range of motion. The mechanical disadvantage is that it takes a large amount of force to overcome resistances.
Which lever is the most common in the body?
The 3rd class lever.
Examples of 1st class lever?
Triceps dips, rowing and movements which involve pushing down with the triceps.
Examples of 2nd class lever?
A gymnast standing on their tiptoes, also a push up.
Examples of 3rd class lever?
A basketball shot, kicking a football, hitting a tennis shot, and a bicep curl.
What are the mechanical advantages of levers?
- The arm refers to the distance between the fulcrum and the effort.
- Longer effort arms can produce more force e.g 2nd class
- shorter effort arms enable quicker movements e.g 3rd class
