AQA GCSE Physics · 8463
Paper 2
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GCSE Physics · key term
A device that produces a larger output force than the force applied to it.
Used by AQA and OCR
Paper 2
Paper 1, Paper 2
A lever arrangement that allows a smaller effort force to produce a larger force on a load; the effort moves through a greater distance than the load.
Revise: Circular Motion, Moments, Levers and GearsA long effort arm can therefore make a lever a force multiplier: a smaller effort can balance or move a larger load acting closer to the pivot. The trade-off is distance—the effort end must move farther than the load. A lever arranged the other way can act as a distance multiplier, making the load move farther or faster while requiring a larger effort.
A lever does not provide energy for nothing. A force multiplier reduces the required effort, but the effort moves through a greater distance.
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