1. Inclined Planes, Wedges, & Screws

2. Inclined Plane
An inclined plane or ramp is a tilted surface which allows a resistance to be lifted with less effort.
As usual, the reduction in effort is accompanied by an increase in force.

3. Inclined Plane
The AMA of the inclined plane is the resistance (weight) divided by the effort.
AMA =
weight
effort

4. Inclined Plane
The IMA of the inclined plane is the incline length divided by the height.
IMA =
incline length
height

5. Inclined Plane
IMA =
incline length
height
incline length
height

6. Wedge
A wedge is normally shaped like two inclined planes back to back.
It is used to split an object as it is forced into the object.

7. Wedge
The IMA of a wedge is calculated the same as the IMA of the inclined plane.
The more narrow the wedge, the greater the IMA.
IMA =
incline length
width

8. Screw
A screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a central shaft in a spiral shape.

9. The ridges on a screw’s shaft are called threads.
The distance between threads is called the pitch.
The lower the pitch, the higher the MA.

11. What is the MA of this ramp?
0.375
1.5
2.5
2.67
4 m
1.5 m