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lever (beam length)

y=WFx
(F)Downward weight on the y side of the fulcrum
(W)Upward weight on the x side of the fulcrum
(x)Pivot length of the beam on the upward side of the fulcrum

The Length of a Lever calculator (y = x • W/F ) /attachments/84550150-d427-11e5-9770-bc764e2038f2/lever.pngcomputes the leverage length (y) on the downward force side of the fulcrum to lift an object by leverage.

INSTRUCTIONS:  Choose units and enter the following:

  • (F)  Downward force (weight)
  • (W) Weight of the object
  • (x) Pivot length of the beam on the object's side of the fulcrum (see diagram)

Leverage Length (y): The calculator computes the length of the beam (y) in meters.  However this can be automatically converted to other length units via the pull-down menu.  The calculator also returns the pivot length (x) and the total length (x+y).

The Math/Science

A lever is a simple machine where the ratio of the product of the lengths and forces on opposite sides of a fulcrum are equal.


Mechanical Leverage Functions

If you set up a lever (beam and fulcrum), this formula will tell you the length needed to lift the mass.  Assume you put your full weight on the end of the beam, 200 lbs, and that you want to lift 1,400 lbs.  This formula will tell you that if there is 6" of the beam on the mass side of the fulcrum, you weight needs to be at the 3.5 foot (42 inches) mark on the other side to lift the object.

 


Simple Machine Calculators