How does a wedge work?

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asked Mar 9, 2022 in Science by seitase83 (830 points)
How does a wedge work?

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answered Mar 9, 2022 by 123devon (8,950 points)
A wedge works by applying force to both sides of an object which pushes the object apart.

And example of a wedge working is a wedge that is used to split firewood.

When you pound the wedge log splitter into the log it pushes outwards at the log and then causes it to split.

Or another example of a wedge working is you put a wedge under a door to stop the door from moving.

The wedge has an incline that prevents the door from going up and over so the door cannot move.

A wedge is a machine that consists of two inclined planes, giving it a thin end and thick end.

A wedge is used to cut or split apart objects.

Force is applied to the thick end of the wedge, and the wedge applies force to the object along both of its sloping sides.

This force causes the object to split apart.

In physics a fulcrum is the point at which the lever or beam rests and pivots.

A fulcrum is basically just a pivot point for a lever to pivot on.

The fulcrum would be the thing in the middle of a teeter totter for example or on a wheelbarrow the fulcrum would be the wheel where the wheelbarrow pivots.

The purpose of a fulcrum is to allow the lever to pivot.

A fulcrum is the point on which the beam pivots.

When an effort is applied to one end of the lever, a load is applied at the other end of the lever.

This will then move a mass upward. Levers rely on torque for their operation.

An example of a Fulcrum is a teeter totter where the teeter totter pivots.

The pivot point of the teeter totter would be an example of a Fulcrum while the teeter totter is the lever.

A fulcrum is an object about which the lever pivots.

There are three classes levers, according to the position of the fulcrum.

Another word for fulcrum is pivot as well as support, hinge and spindle.

A fulcrum is what a lever pivots on.

The fulcrum point is considered a point where a lever turns; in particular, the pivot point.

The fulcrum point is the center of a key activity or situation.

A lever rests on the fulcrum.

A seesaw is a type of lever but the pivot point for the seesaw is a fulcrum.

5 lever examples include the teeter-totters, wheelbarrows, scissors, pliers, bottle openers.

Other examples of levers include your arms, mops, brooms, shovels, nutcrackers and sports equipment like baseball bats, golf clubs and hockey sticks.

The 3 types of levers are the 1st class lever, 2nd class lever and 3rd class levers.

With the first class lever the fulcrum is in the middle of the effort and the load.
With the second class lever the load is in the middle between the fulcrum and the effort.
With the third class lever the effort is in the middle between the fulcrum and the load.

A wheelbarrow is a second class lever.

The Class of Lever is determined by the location of the load, fulcrum, and force.

In a Class Two Lever such as the wheelbarrow, the Load is between the Force and the Fulcrum.

The closer the Load is to the Fulcrum, the easier the load is to lift.

Examples of the second class levers include wheelbarrows, staplers, bottle openers, nut cracker, and nail clippers.

A wheelbarrow is a second class lever. Below is data from using a wheelbarrow to move a 30 kg rock.

The effort (lift) is always applied at the end of the handles, 150 cm from the fulcrum.

The fulcrum is where the wheelbarrow is joined to the axle of the wheel.

The dirt in a wheelbarrow is the Load, the Fulcrum is the wheel, and the Force is at the end of the handles where a person lifts it.

When the dirt is spread out evenly, the wheelbarrow is balanced and not difficult to push and move from place to place.

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