Inclined plane and wedge

In short: An inclined plane is a sloping surface on which you raise a load with less force but over a longer path. The wedge is a double inclined plane.

In more detail: The flatter the ramp, the smaller the force needed and the longer the path. The work stays the same (without friction).

In detail

• Ramp: Wheelchair ramps, loading ramps and winding mountain roads spread the climb over a longer distance.
• Screw: An inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder. The thread converts rotation into advance.
• Wedge: Axe, knife, nail and chisel convert a force into a sideways splitting force.
• Bottle opener and zip: Both use wedge action.
• Friction: In practice it increases the force required (hebel-und-flaschenzug, reibung-im-alltag).