Levers
I can identify levers and describe their purpose and how they work.
Levers
I can identify levers and describe their purpose and how they work.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Levers can multiply a small force into a larger force.
- Levers can multiply a small movement into a larger movement.
- There are different types of lever, each with the pivot in a different position.
Keywords
Lever - A lever is a simple machine designed to use the turning effect of a force.
Effort - The force applied to a lever is called the effort.
Load - The force produced by a lever is called the load.
Pivot - A lever will rotate around a pivot.
Force multiplier - If a lever produces a larger load force than the effort force, it is a force multiplier.
Common misconception
Pupils confuse the term moment with ideas about time or movement.
Use the term ‘turning effect’ in this lesson whilst ideas are being introduced and consolidated.
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Levers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 science lesson on: Levers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Hidden forces unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions



Exit quiz
6 Questions

a simple machine designed to use the turning effect of a force
the point along a lever at which it rotates
the force applied to a lever
the force produced by a lever
a type of lever that has a larger load force than effort force



