What can be said about the mechanical advantage of a first-class lever?

A first-class lever is a type of simple machine where the fulcrum is positioned between the effort force and the load. The mechanical advantage (MA) of a lever is calculated by the ratio of the distance from the fulcrum to the effort (input) to the distance from the fulcrum to the load (output).

In a first-class lever, it is possible for the mechanical advantage to vary depending on the positions of the load and the effort. If the effort is applied further from the fulcrum than the load, the mechanical advantage will be greater than 1, allowing you to lift a heavier load with less effort. Conversely, if the load is positioned closer to the fulcrum than the effort, the mechanical advantage will be less than 1. Finally, if both the load and effort are equidistant from the fulcrum, the mechanical advantage will equal 1, meaning the input and output forces are balanced.

This versatility is what makes the first-class lever capable of having a mechanical advantage that is greater than, less than, or equal to 1, depending on how it is set up.