Question

Name the class to which the following levers belong:

(c) a nutcracker

Answer 1

Step1: Definition

1. Levers are the most basic machines that are used to do some work with minimal effort.
2. A lever amplifies an input force to provide a greater output force, which is said to provide leverage.

Step2: Types of levers

1. According to where the load and effort are located with respect to the fulcrum, there are three types or classes of levers.
2. First-Class Lever: This is a type of lever that has the fulcrum in between the weight and the force applied.
   Its order is represented as force-fulcrum-weight.
3. Second Class Lever: In this, the fulcrum is at one end and the force applied is on the other end.
   The weight is situated in the middle of these two. The order of this would be fulcrum-weight-force.
4. Third Class Lever: These are the levers in which the fulcrum is at one end and the force is applied in the middle and the weight is on the other end.
   The order is represented as a weight-force-fulcrum.
5. Consider the case of a nutcracker.
   
6. For a nutcracker, the load/weight is placed between the fulcrum and the force/effort applied.
7. So, it is a second-class lever.

Thus, a nutcracker belongs to second-class levers.