What type of lever has the force applied between the fulcrum and the load?

The correct answer, which describes a lever with the force applied between the fulcrum and the load, points to a second class lever. In this type of lever, the arrangement allows for the load to be moved with less force than would be necessary to lift it directly.

In a second class lever, the fulcrum is located at one end, the load is in the middle, and the effort (or force) is applied at the other end. This setup allows for a mechanical advantage, making it easier to lift heavier weights with less effort, as seen in devices like wheelbarrows.

In contrast, first class levers have the fulcrum positioned between the effort and the load, which can either apply a mechanical advantage or disadvantage depending on the relative distances of the effort and load from the fulcrum. Third class levers have the effort applied between the fulcrum and the load, which typically requires more force to lift a load but allows for greater speed and range of motion. There is no common classification known as a fourth class lever, making it not applicable in this context.

Thus, the second class lever is distinct in that it optimally positions load and effort for more efficient lifting, accurately fitting the definition