Inclined Planes, Wedges, and Screws
Inclined Plane
A ramp.
Screw
A simple machine that consists of a inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder.
Wedge
A simple machine that is made up of two inclined planes and that moves.
Inclined Plane
A simple machine that is straight, slanted surface, which facilitates the raising or lowering of loads.
Screw
Apply a large force through the short distance it is pushed.
Mechanical Advantage for Wedges
Length of wedge/greatest thickness
Wedge
Often used for cutting.
Wedge
Output force is greater than input force.
Inclined Plane
Requires a smaller input force to do the same amount of work.
Mechanical Advantage of Inclined Planes
The greater the ratio length to it's height, the greater the MA.
Screw
The longer the spiral on the and the closer the threads, the greater the MA.
Screw
When a is turned, a small force is applied over a long distance along the inclined plane of a .
MA of Inclined Planes
length of plane/height lifted