Types of levers

Levers are divided into three types called first order levers, second order levers and third order levers. The type of lever depends on where the effort acts compared with the load and the pivot.

First order lever

In this type of lever the pivot (or fulcrum) is between the effort and the load as in the simple crowbar (Figure 1)

Second order lever.

In this type of lever the load is between the effort and the pivot (or fulcrum) the effort and the load as in the wheelbarrow (Figure 2)

Third order lever.

In this type of lever effort is between the load and the pivot (or fulcrum) as in the pair of tweezers (Figure 3)