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Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physical Education (1PE0) · Spec C1 2.1.1 and C1 2.1.2

Lever systems

Read the notes, then try the questions. Each one is marked the moment you press Check, and shows the right answer and why.

Key ideas

  • Every lever has a fulcrum (the pivot, a joint), an effort (the muscle pulling) and a load (the weight being moved).
  • First class: the fulcrum is in the middle, such as nodding the head. Second class: the load is in the middle, such as rising onto the toes. Third class: the effort is in the middle, such as a biceps curl.
  • Mechanical advantage = effort arm divided by load arm. If the effort arm is longer, the lever has a mechanical advantage and a large load can be moved with little effort.
  • Third class levers have a mechanical disadvantage but give range and speed of movement. Most levers in the body are third class.

Key terms

Fulcrum
The pivot point of a lever. In the body, it is a joint.
Effort
The force applied, from a muscle.
Load
The weight to be moved, such as the ball or the body part.
Effort arm
The distance from the fulcrum to the effort.
Load arm
The distance from the fulcrum to the load.
Mechanical advantage
Effort arm divided by load arm.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up the order of the three parts, so the lever class is wrong. Decide which part is in the middle first.
  • Giving the load as a body part. Where an object is moved, the load is the object (for example the ball).
  • Crediting the equipment (such as trampoline springs) with the mechanical advantage.

Exam tip

Draw the lever quickly as three dots in a line: fulcrum, effort, load. Whichever one is in the middle names the class. For mechanical advantage, say the effort arm is longer than the load arm, and then give the benefit.

Free practice questions

7 questions, 9 marks. Answer, then press Check. The marking guide explains how the marks are worked out. Nothing is saved.

  1. Question 1 · Multiple choice[1 mark]

    Which component sits in the middle of a third class lever?

  2. Question 2 · Multiple choice[1 mark]

    Jamal, 15, nods his head forward on his neck. Which class of lever is this?

  3. Question 3 · Multiple choice[1 mark]

    Which movement uses a third class lever?

  4. Question 4 · Multiple choice[1 mark]

    What is the benefit of a mechanical advantage to a performer?

  5. Question 5 · True or false[1 mark]

    True or false: A second class lever has the load between the fulcrum and the effort.

  6. Question 6 · Fill the gaps[1 mark]

    Mechanical advantage = ___ arm divided by load arm.

    Word bank: joint · fulcrum · load · effort

  7. Question 7 · Matching[3 marks]

    Match each movement to its class of lever.