What type of mechanical advantage does a lever provide?

A lever provides both a distance advantage and a force advantage based on its configuration and the position of the fulcrum, which significantly affects its operation. The mechanics of a lever allow it to amplify an input force, making it easier to move a heavier load. This force advantage occurs when the lever is used to lift a weight by applying a smaller force on the longer end of the lever, while the heavier load is situated closer to the fulcrum.

Additionally, levers enable a distance advantage by allowing an object to move through a greater distance than the applied force. For instance, when you push down on one end of a lever, the other end (where the load is located) moves further upward. Thus, levers can effectively alter both the magnitude of the input force needed to lift an object and the distance that object moves, leading to both advantages being realized depending on how they are utilized in a specific situation.