Why is it harder to open a door handle closer to the lock?

Question

For example, If you grip a door handle normally you can open it with ease. But why is it that it’s so much harder if you move your hand closer to the base of the handle?

In: Physics

Answer 1

A door handle is a lever. The further out on a lever you are, the more leverage you get. Since the lock is usually right on the fulcrum, the closer you get to it the less leverage you have.