A cantilever is a structural element that is fixed at one end and free at the other, allowing it to protrude outward and hold a load without additional support. It is commonly used in construction, engineering, and architecture to create overhangs, balconies, bridges, and other structures. Cantilevers are often used in situations where a structure needs to be supported without the use of columns or posts, or where the weight of the structure needs to be distributed over a larger area. They are also used in scientific instruments, such as scanning probe microscopes, where the cantilever is used to measure tiny forces and movements.
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