A loaded and tilted hand truck that is being pushed is considered what type of lever?

• A. First-class lever
• B. Second-class lever
• C. Third-class lever
• D. Pulley system

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how a lever is arranged by the relative positions of the fulcrum, the load, and where you apply effort. In a second-class lever, the load sits between the fulcrum and the effort. With a loaded hand truck that’s tilted and being pushed, the wheel on the ground acts as the fulcrum, the load rests on the platform between that fulcrum and where you grip the handles to push, so the effort you apply is at the handles. That arrangement gives a mechanical advantage, allowing you to lift and move a heavy load with less force, though you’ll move the handles through a greater distance than the load itself.

If the fulcrum were between the load and the effort, that would be a first-class lever (like a seesaw). If the effort were between the fulcrum and the load, that would be a third-class lever (like lifting with your forearm). A pulley system is a different mechanism entirely, not a lever.