Simple Machines – Lever

This lever model is elegantly designed and is easy for students to use. Students will find out how levers can create mechanical advantage, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The sturdy construction makes it an ideal classroom demonstration model. Levers can be used to exert a large force over a small distance at one end by exerting only a small force over a greater distance at the other. Students can add weights to one end of the lever and try to lift the weight. What happens if they move the lever arm, making the side they push down longer and the side with the mass applied to it shorter? Will this make it easier of do they have to apply more force? Let students think about levers that are used in everyday life. They will find out that they can find levers everywhere around us! This model is a great resource to stimulate inquiry based learning. First, students will think about possible outcomes when they change the variables; the mass applied to the end of one side of the lever and the length of the lever arm. They will think about the relation between these two variables and come up with hypotheses. Afterwards, they can check their theories by performing the experiment. Was their hypothesis correct? This lever model includes an instruction manual to facilitate the use of this model for both students and teachers. It is made of particle board and wooden components. The base measures 22 cm (W) x 7 cm (L), with an height of 13.3 cm and the lever arm is 19 cm long.