Which of the following is an example of a first class lever?

A first class lever is characterized by the arrangement of the load, effort, and fulcrum. In this type of lever, the fulcrum is positioned between the load and the effort. A classic example of this setup can be seen in a seesaw, where the pivot point (fulcrum) is located in the middle, allowing one side to elevate and the other to lower when force (effort) is applied.

The seesaw demonstrates the fundamental concept of balance and the ability to lift loads on either end by applying force on the opposite side. This lever system effectively amplifies the force applied, depending on the distance from the fulcrum, which is a key principle in biomechanics and lever mechanics.

In contrast, the other examples provided do not follow this configuration. Scissors function as a pair of first class levers, but in a closed system they act more like two first class levers, and the wheelbarrow is an example of a second class lever, as the load is placed between the effort and fulcrum. A shovel also operates as a third class lever, where the effort is applied between the load and the fulcrum. Understanding these differences helps clarify why the seesaw is the clear representation of