Try this challenge… If you are so inclined.

Carefully look at each picture. Try to find something they all have in common. Wait to share ideas until we are done, but feel free to write down any notes or guesses as we go through them.

Was it plane to see?

Inclined Planes! A plane is a flat surface. The inclined plane is a slanted surface or ramp that helps us move objects up to another height. A screw is made up of an inclined plane. Now try this – make an inclined plane by cutting a paper in half from corner to corner. Color the long incline with a dark stripe. Now roll it up starting with the straight side of the inclined plane and with the color strip on the outside. What is it?

Now let’s take another look and discuss where the inclined planes are in each picture.

Why use an inclined plane? The longer the distance the inclined plane the easier it is to do the work, HOWEVER, it will take a much longer time to do the work. The inclined plane works best when used to roll an object up to a greater height. When you roll an object that is extremely heavy up an inclined plane gravity is pulling the object down. An incline plane increases the size of the effort force making work much easier. Now view this! Inclined Planes used to build the pyramids and choose Simple Machines Used to Build the Great Pyramids in Egypt [04:44]Inclined Planes used to build the pyramids