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Definition: lever from The Penguin Dictionary of Physics

A simple MACHINE that can be regarded as a rigid bar that can turn about a pivot. The relative positions of load, effort, and pivot determine the type of lever.


lever

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
simple machine consisting of a bar supported at some stationary point along its length and used to overcome resistance at a second point by application of force at a third point. The stationary point of a lever is known as its fulcrum. The term lever is also applied to a projecting piece that is moved to operate or adjust inner machinery, such as a lever moved to the right or left to switch electric current on or off or to adjust the size of the opening of a shutter in a camera. It has been found by experiment that two equal forces acting in opposite directions, i.e., clockwise and counterclockwise, and applied to a uniform lever at equal distances from the fulcrum counteract each other and establish a state of equilibrium , or balance, in the lever. Experiment has also shown that two unequal forces when acting in opposite directions will bring about an equilibrium when the product of the magnitude of one force and its effort arm, or lever arm (the distance of its point of application…
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Full text Article lever

From The American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language
lever diagram of the three types of levers,...
A simple machine consisting of a rigid bar pivoted on a fixed point and used to transmit force, as in raising or moving a weight at one end by pushing down on the other. A projecting handle used to adjust or operate a mechanism. A means of accomplishing; a tool: used friendship as a lever to obtain…
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Full text Article lever

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
simple machine consisting of a bar supported at some stationary point along its length and used to overcome resistance at a second point by application of force at a third point. The stationary point of a lever is known as its fulcrum. The term lever is also applied to a projecting piece that is…
| 656 words
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Full text Article lever

From The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics
A simple machine composed essentially of a rigid bar pivoted in such a way that a force can be transferred to a load, usually with a mechanical advantage. The lever pivots about a point known as the fulcrum . The position of the fulcrum, F, relative to that of the load, L , and applied force, or…
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Full text Article lever

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Simple machine consisting of a rigid rod pivoted at a fixed point called the fulcrum, used for shifting or raising a heavy load or applying force. Levers are classified into orders according to where the effort is applied, and the load-moving force developed, in relation to the position of the…
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Full text Article lever

From The Chambers Dictionary
a bar turning on a support or fulcrum for imparting pressure or motion from a source of power to a resistance; anything that can be used to gain an advantage. vt to move with a lever. [OFr leveor , from lever , from L’ levāre to raise] n the mechanical power gained by the use of a lever; advantage…
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Full text Article lever

From The Macquarie Dictionary
a bar or rigid piece acted upon at different points by two forces, as a voluntarily applied force (the power ) and a resisting force (the weight ), which generally tend to rotate it in opposite directions about a fixed axis or support (the fulcrum ). Plural: levers any of various mechanical devices…
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Full text Article lever

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Simple machine used to amplify physical force . All early people used the lever in some form, for moving heavy stones or as digging sticks for land cultivation. Balance beams for weighing were probably used in Egypt c. 5000 bc ; they consist of a bar pivoted at its center with weights on one end…
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Full text Article What is a lever?

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Full answer What is a lever? A lever is a type of machine. It may be used as a force multiplier or to allow you to do work more conveniently. When using levers there is: a load – the object to which the force is being applied an effort – the force that is being applied a pivot or fulcrum – the point…
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A lever is a rigid beam resting on a pivot or fulcrum. A person depressing one end of the beam can lift more weight at the other end than he could alone. That’s mechanical advantage. Like other machines, depending on how it’s rigged, a lever cannot only magnify force but change its direction as…
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Full text Article LEVER, BARONY OF (Lever) (Extinct 1977)

From Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage 2008
His Honour Judge the Hon Bernard Lewis (Manchester Crown Court, Minshull St, Manchester M1 3FS), b 1951; ed Clifton, and Queen's Coll, Oxon, Bar Middle Temple 1975; Circuit Judge, Northern Circuit, since 2001: m 1985, Anne Helen, only da of Patrick Chandler Gordon Ballingall, MBE, of Seaford, E…
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