The seesaw that lifts a grown-up
A small child can lift an adult on a seesaw by sitting far from the middle. A lever trades distance for force — push down a long way on one end to lift something heavy a short way on the other.
A stick that multiplies your push
A lever is a stiff bar that turns on a fixed point called the fulcrum. A seesaw is a lever. Push down on one end and the other end lifts. The farther from the fulcrum you push, the more lifting power you get.
Weight times distance
A lever balances when the weight times its distance from the fulcrum is the same on both sides. A light weight far out can balance a heavy weight sitting close in.
Simulation · Lever & balance
4 × 3 = 12 vs 6 × 2 = 12 — Balanced!
Change the weights and how far they sit from the middle. Find the settings that make the bar balance.