lever arms

Force-amplifying rigid bars

Lever arms are the perpendicular distances from a pivot point to where force is applied.

In physics, a longer lever arm means greater torque with the same force—the principle behind why a longer wrench loosens stubborn bolts more easily.

In anatomy, lever arms describe how muscles and bones work together mechanically: The bicep's lever arm determines how efficiently it can flex the elbow.

Related

mechanical advantage · rotational axis · turning point · press · bar · push · Newton's laws · physics class · pull · simple machine · distances · engineering · equilibrium · magnitudes · seesaw · lift · rotate · handle

Opposites
mechanical components

lever armsfulcrum

Lever's balance point

pivot point · pivot · hinge point · axis of rotation · fixed point

force application

lever armspoint of application

Family

lever, arm, levers, arms, levered, levering, leverage, leveraged, leveraging

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