Inclined plane

An inclined plane is a sloping plane used to raise heavy bodies. Inclined planes make it easier to lift objects to greater heights. There are two ways to raise an object: it can be either raised by lifting it straight up or by pushing it diagonally up.

Lifting an object straight up moves the object in the shortest distance, but a more significant force must be exerted. Using an inclined plane to lift objects requires a smaller force but must be exerted over a long distance. A few everyday examples of inclined planes include sidewalk ramps, highway access ramps, inclined conveyor belts, and switchback roads.

In the diagram, the crate can be lifted directly to height, or it can be moved there via the inclined plane.   

The effort required to lift the crate is more than the effort required to slide the box up the inclined plane, but the distance the box travels will be greater. 

How Does an Inclined Plane Work

An inclined plane takes advantage of the slope or inclination, making it easier to work against gravity. The force required to overcome gravity is much less than required to lift an object vertically; the latter is equal to the object’s weight. However, the distance traversed by the object will be longer.

The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane is defined as the ratio of the output force to the applied force. It is expressed in terms of distances. The following equation gives the formula for ideal mechanical advantage.

ideal mechanical advantage = \[L/h\]

Where,

L: Length of the inclined plane

h: Maximum height of the inclined plane

According to the equation, the longer the plane, the easier moving an object upward. So, an inclined plane reduces the effort force by increasing the distance through which the force is applied.

The equation ignores the friction between the object and the inclined plane. The efficiency of an inclined plane is the ratio of the actual mechanical advantage and ideal mechanical advantage.

In reality, the actual mechanical advantage is always less than the ideal mechanical advantage. Hence, the efficiency is always less than 100%.

There are many examples of inclined planes that are used in real everyday life:

• A staircase is considered an inclined plane because it makes an angle to the surface. So, when a person climbs stairs, they are not climbing vertically.
• An escalator is an inclined plane since it is in the same category as a staircase.
• A ladder is considered an inclined plane because it is placed at an angle to the surface. When a person climbs the ladder, they are not climbing vertically.

Inclined planes serve many purposes ranging from basic needs to engineering applications. 

• A sloping road connects a roadway to a bridge or overpass.
• A ramp is used instead of a staircase for wheelchairs and shopping trollies in departmental stores.
• Ancient pyramids had ramps that allowed laborers to roll up stones.
• A multistorey car park has ramps allowing vehicles to move from one level to another.
• A sloped driveway is used in front of houses for driving vehicles up to the entrance. 
• Children use slides in a playground for fun.
• Houses have slanted roofs so that water and snow run off them.

Click on the link below to watch a YouTube video on inclined planes:

How Inclined Planes MAKE WORK EASY!

Turtlediary. (2017). How inclined planes make work easy (Standard YouTube licence)