Which of the following is a second-class lever arrangement?

• A. Load-Fulcrum-Effort
• B. Load-Effort-Fulcrum
• C. Fulcrum-Load-Effort
• D. Effort-Load-Fulcrum

Answer: (C)

In a lever system, class is determined by the order of fulcrum, load, and effort. A second-class lever has the load between the fulcrum and the effort. So the pivot sits at one end, the load sits in the middle, and the effort is applied on the opposite end. This setup gives a mechanical advantage because the distance from the fulcrum to the effort is longer than the distance from the fulcrum to the load, allowing you to lift heavier loads with less force (though the load moves a smaller distance). Examples include a wheelbarrow or standing on tiptoes (calf raise). The other arrangements correspond to different lever classes: if the fulcrum is between load and effort, it’s a first-class lever; if the effort is between load and fulcrum, it’s a third-class lever. The described arrangement matches the second-class lever.