Question

If the fulcrum in a lever is not stationary, then its mechanical advantage

• A. increases.
• B. decreases.
• C. remains the same.
• D. may increase or decrease depending on the direction of displacement of the fulcrum w.r.t. the lever.

Answer 1

The correct option is D may increase or decrease depending on the direction of displacement of the fulcrum w.r.t. the lever.

If the fulcrum in a lever is not stationary, then the length of its load arm and effort arm changes as the fulcrum changes. Since,

$\text{Mechanical Advantage}=\frac{\text{Effort arm}}{\text{Load arm}}$

Mechanical Advantage changes and it increases if the fulcrum moves in such a way that effort arm increases and load arm decreases.

Mechanical advantage reduces if the fulcrum movies in a manner such that effort arm decreases and load arm increases.