Question

When the fulcrum is shifted to the right, which side has a mechanical advantage and which side has a mechanical disadvantage?

Answer 1

The lever is a movable bar that pivots on a fulcrum attached to or positioned on or across a fixed point. The lever operates by applying forces at different distances from the fulcrum, or pivot.

A lever amplifies an input force to provide a greater output force, which is said to provide leverage. The ratio of the output force to the input force is the mechanical advantage of the lever.

The mechanical advantage of the lever is increased by moving the fulcrum closer to the load i.e., by shifting the fulcrum towards the right. Moving the fulcrum away from the load has mechanical disadvantage as the distance between the load and the fulcrum increases, the input force becomes greater than the output force.