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Difficulty: EasyInclined Planes

A worker needs to load a heavy crate onto the back of a truck. Instead of lifting it straight up from the ground, the worker uses a long wooden ramp. Assuming friction is negligible, what is the primary mechanical benefit of using this inclined plane?

  1. It decreases the amount of effort force required to move the crate.Answer
  2. B
    It decreases the total amount of work required to load the crate.
  3. C
    It decreases the actual weight of the crate while it is moving up the slope.
  4. D
    It reduces the surface area of the crate in contact with the ground, decreasing friction.

Answer

The primary benefit of using an inclined plane is that it decreases the amount of effort force required to move the crate.
An inclined plane allows the same amount of work to be completed over a longer distance. Because work equals force multiplied by distance, increasing the distance proportionally reduces the amount of effort force needed to move the object.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the purpose of using simple machines like an inclined plane.
Simple machines are used to provide a mechanical advantage.
Understanding the fundamental function of simple machines is key to solving the problem.
2
Evaluate the relationship between work, force, and distance for an inclined plane.
The formula for work is W=F×dW = F \times d. The total work to lift the crate to the truck bed remains exactly the same.
Conservation of energy dictates that the total work done against gravity is independent of the path taken.
3
Determine how the inclined plane changes the variables in the work equation.
Because the ramp increases the distance (dd) over which the work is performed, the required effort force (FF) decreases proportionally.
This inverse relationship between force and distance is the defining characteristic of an inclined plane's mechanical advantage.

Key Concept

Mechanical Advantage of Inclined Planes
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Inclined Planes

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