Which type of lever is represented by a wheelbarrow?

A wheelbarrow is an example of a second-class lever, which is characterized by the arrangement of the load, effort, and fulcrum. In a second-class lever, the load is positioned between the fulcrum and the effort applied.

For a wheelbarrow, the wheel acts as the fulcrum, the load (such as dirt or bricks) is placed in the bucket, and the effort is applied at the handles. This setup allows for the ease of lifting heavier loads with less effort. The design of a second-class lever provides a mechanical advantage, allowing the user to lift a heavier weight than they could lift directly without assistance.

In contrast, a first-class lever has the fulcrum positioned between the effort and the load, as seen in a see-saw, while a third-class lever places the effort between the fulcrum and the load, such as in the case of a pair of tweezers. A compound lever, which is not standard in this context, is a combination of two or more simple levers used together but doesn't specifically apply to the wheelbarrow. Thus, identifying a wheelbarrow as a second-class lever highlights its functional design that aids in lifting and moving loads effectively.