By using a lever Jonathon can lift a load of 3000N using an effort of just 300N. We say that the lever has a mechanical advantage.

To calculate just how much mechanical advantage, we use the expression below.

Mechanical advantage = 3000/300
=> 10

Look at he lever system on the right. A load of 30N is supported by a 10N effort. What is its mechanical advantage?

Scan the image for the answer

Stephen pushes down with a force of 60N to just lift the load off the ground. What is the mechanical advantage of the lever?

Scan the image for the answer

Stephen pushes down with a force of 300N to just lift the load off the ground. What is the mechanical advantage of the lever?

Scan the image for the answer