What happens to a lever if the fulcrum is moved closer to the load?

When the fulcrum of a lever is moved closer to the load, the mechanical advantage for lifting that load increases. This is because the distance from the fulcrum to the effort (the point where force is applied) becomes greater than the distance from the fulcrum to the load. In simple terms, the lever can generate more force with the same amount of effort when the fulcrum is positioned closer to the load.

This principle relates to the way levers function: they trade off distance for force. By moving the fulcrum closer to the load, you effectively reduce the amount of effort needed to lift that load, therefore making it easier to overcome the weight of the load. This fundamental concept of levers is rooted in the principle of moments, which states that for a lever in equilibrium, the clockwise moments about the fulcrum will equal the counterclockwise moments. As a result, less effort is needed to lift the load when the fulcrum is closer to it.

Other choices don't align with this principle. Moving the fulcrum closer does not increase the effort required or make the load unattainable, nor does it decrease the speed of lifting; instead, it actually simplifies the lifting process.