A hand-operated paper cutter has a rigid blade that turns about a hinge. The handle is pressed at a fixed point. A sheet can be cut at point R, close to the hinge, or at point S, further from the hinge. The sheet has the same thickness at both points.
Why is less effort needed to cut the sheet at point R?
The resistance from the sheet is a smaller force at R, because R is closer to the hinge
The sheet is close to the hinge at R, so its resistance has no turning effect
The resistance from the sheet acts closer to the hinge at R, so its opposing moment is smaller
The effort at the handle produces a larger moment when the sheet is cut at R
124 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Physics 5.4 Moments, levers and gears, covering 5.4 Moments, levers and gears. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.