What happens when you increase the length of a lever arm and the effort?

Increasing the length of a lever arm effectively amplifies the force that can be applied through that lever. The lever arm acts as a mechanical advantage, allowing a smaller input force (effort) to exert a greater output force on the object being moved (load) at the other end. This principle is based on the equation of torque, where torque = force x lever arm length. As the lever arm lengthens, the torque produced for a given force increases, enabling the system to handle higher resistive forces before reaching a critical point, such as the pressure at which a valve opens.

In the context of valves, a longer lever arm makes it possible to maintain greater resistance before the valve opens, thus allowing it to blow off at a higher pressure than if the lever were shorter. This is because the additional length gives the user more control over the forces being applied, leading to a more stable and effective operation at higher pressures.