The Inclined Plane and the Lever- The Inclined Plane
An inclined plane is one of the simple machines. It is a flat surface that is higher on one end. The inclined plane requires less force to move an object up an inclined plane than it does to lift the object vertically. However, the object has to be moved a proportionately greater distance.
The inclined plane makes life easier not by altering the amount of work that is needed, but by altering the way in which the work is done. Work has two aspects to it: the effort that one puts in, and the distance over which one maintains the effort. If the effort increases, the distance must decrease, and vice versa. For instance, climbing up the gentlest slope requires the most effort, but you have to cover the shortest distance. Climbing up the gentlest slope requires the least effort, but it requires the greatest distance. The work you do the same in either case. Therefore, if friction is ignored, the work done using the inclined plane will be exactly equal to the work done in lifting the body directly.
The angle (the steepness of the inclined plane) determines how much effort is needed to raise the weight. The steeper the ramp, the more effort is required.
In the illustration opposite, you would have to push the box a greater distance when the ramp is at a low angle.
With a steeper ramp, you would have to push harder - but for a shorter distance.
Interesting Facts: The inclined plane and rollers were used in building the pyramids in Egypt.
Here is a video that explains what an inclined plane is and how it works:
The Inclined Plane and the Lever- The Inclined Plane
An inclined plane is one of the simple machines. It is a flat surface that is higher on one end. The inclined plane requires less force to move an object up an inclined plane than it does to lift the object vertically. However, the object has to be moved a proportionately greater distance.
The inclined plane makes life easier not by altering the amount of work that is needed, but by altering the way in which the work is done. Work has two aspects to it: the effort that one puts in, and the distance over which one maintains the effort. If the effort increases, the distance must decrease, and vice versa. For instance, climbing up the gentlest slope requires the most effort, but you have to cover the shortest distance. Climbing up the gentlest slope requires the least effort, but it requires the greatest distance. The work you do the same in either case. Therefore, if friction is ignored, the work done using the inclined plane will be exactly equal to the work done in lifting the body directly.
The angle (the steepness of the inclined plane) determines how much effort is needed to raise the weight. The steeper the ramp, the more effort is required.
In the illustration opposite, you would have to push the box a greater distance when the ramp is at a low angle.
With a steeper ramp, you would have to push harder - but for a shorter distance.
Interesting Facts: The inclined plane and rollers were used in building the pyramids in Egypt.
Here is a video that explains what an inclined plane is and how it works:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igrMlzHL-qg