A hand-operated press uses a rigid lever. An operator pushes on the lever with a force of 180 N, the largest force they can apply. The perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the operator's force is 0.50 m. For the pressing force, this distance is 0.060 m.
A return spring produces a moment of 12 Nm that opposes the moment produced by the operator. The operator holds the lever stationary.
Calculate the maximum pressing force produced by the lever.
A component requires a pressing force of 1.4 kN. Explain whether the operator can press the component fully.
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.