Lever
Movers ’n’ Shakers A simple device for changing the size of a force Made up of a rigid length and a pivot Generally grouped in three different classes
Straight as a rod, I’m a pushy so-and-so. I can amplify your effort to give you superstrength or reduce it so that you don’t crush itty-bitty things. All you need to get some leverage is a rod and a pivot (called a fulcrum). With my three classes of levers, I can move the earth! Class one levers, such as a crowbar, place the fulcrum in between your applied force and the thing you want to move. Even the puniest effort will prize the lid off a can or jimmy open a heavy door in no time. A wheelbarrow is a class two lever, with the fulcrum at one end, your force at the other, and the load in between. It makes lifting heavy goods a breeze. A baseball bat is a class three lever. With the fulcrum at one end and the load at the other, it magnifies your effort to send a ball flying. Wowzer!
Scissors: a pair of class one levers pivoted around the same fulcrum Nutcrackers: a pair of class two levers joined at the fulcrum Staple removers: a pair of class three levers joined at the fulcrum 16