In terms of simple machines, which term refers to the effort applied to a lever?

The term that refers to the effort applied to a lever is "input force." In the context of levers and other simple machines, the input force is the force that a person or an external source applies to overcome the resistance or load. This input force is essential for the lever mechanism to work, enabling it to magnify the output force or make it easier to lift a load.

In a lever system, the fulcrum serves as the pivotal point around which the lever rotates, and the load is the weight or resistance that needs to be moved, while the output force is the force exerted by the lever on the load. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify how levers effectively convert input force into a useful output force, amplifying the effort applied.