Levers & fulcrums.

Why does distance change everything?

Setting up the mechanism…

Left torque: 5.89N·m
Right torque: 7.85N·m
Left arm: 60cm

Right arm: 40cm

Keep weights on opposite sides, then release.

Distance gives you leverage.

A force creates more turning effect when it acts farther from the fulcrum. The beam balances when the clockwise and counterclockwise torques match.

Torque = force × distance from pivot

What this model simplifies

Torque uses perpendicular distance; equal opposing torque balances.

Read the source · OpenStax · Statics ↗

Put it to work.

Balance the beam with different masses on its two sides.

Make it work.

Balance the beam with unequal masses.

Run

Fine adjustments 2

Left masskg

Right masskg

Levers & fulcrums.

Why does distance change everything?

Loading the experiment…

Figuvo

Understand by doing.

Understanding is something you do.

Figuvo is a place to look inside everyday things, build a connection, and discover the idea behind them.

177 interactive experiments. Each has a working model and a challenge to test what you found.

The original inspiration

Levers & fulcrums The surprising gyroscope The field cannon Inside the human body

Original demonstrations by The Bugged Dev. The teaching models and interactions here are new implementations.

Community builds

New teaching models inspired by public builds shared around Anatomy.

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Science

Levers & fulcrums.

Why does distance change everything?

Setting up the mechanism…

Left torque: 5.89N·m
Right torque: 7.85N·m
Left arm: 60cm

Right arm: 40cm

Keep weights on opposite sides, then release.

Distance gives you leverage.

A force creates more turning effect when it acts farther from the fulcrum. The beam balances when the clockwise and counterclockwise torques match.

Torque = force × distance from pivot

What this model simplifies

Torque uses perpendicular distance; equal opposing torque balances.

Read the source · OpenStax · Statics ↗

Put it to work.

Balance the beam with different masses on its two sides.

Make it work.

Balance the beam with unequal masses.

Run

Fine adjustments 2

Left masskg

Right masskg