Question

What is an inclined plane? What is its mechanical advantage? Give two examples where it is used.

Answer 1

Inclined plane is a slanting wooden plank or a sloping surface. It is a simple machine which is used to move a load up with less effort.

The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane depends upon its slope and height.

To find the ideal mechanical advantage of an inclined plane, divide the length of the slope by its height.
For an ideal inclined plane:
𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 A𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒
$=\frac{lengthofslope}{heightofplane}$

Example :

• 1. Coolie while loading a heavy drum on a truck uses a wooden or metallic plank.
• End of the plank is kept on the edge of the truck and the other end on the ground.
• He pushes the drum along the sloping surface and places it on the truck.
• 2. Hospitals and huge buildings are provided with ramp which help nurses to move up the patients on a stretcher or to carry heavy equipments.