The inclined plane as a ramp A child's slide is an inclined plane too Effort versus load

An inclined plane is a flat surface set at an angle. The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane is generally high so it is easier to lift or move heavy objects by increasing the distance travelled. Chocking a wedge under a rock with a sledge hammer will eventually move most stubborn boulders, by applying a large force over a short distance. Decreasing the angle of the plane increases the mechanical advantage, while also increasing the distance the object has to travel. The same amount of work is done, but it makes what could be a difficult task easier.

The inclined plane as a ramp
Inclined planes, commonly called ramps, are seen at the entrances to buildings, where a driveway crosses a footpath or as a pathway up a steep slope. Ramps are easier to walk up than steps, and the gentle continuous slope provides easier access for wheelchairs and prams. It's also easier to load heavy objects into a truck for example by leaning a plank from the ground to the back of the truck.

A child's slide is an inclined plane too
In a child's slide the force is controlled in a different way to the plank leaning against the back of a truck. If the child fell from the top of the slide then the force on landing could cause injury. By increasing the distance the child travels, the force is reduced.

Effort versus load
Look at this ramp.

Pushing the load up the ramp means that it moves along a distance that is double the vertical height. The payoff is that the effort required is only half that needed to lift the load vertically the same distance.

If, in the illustration above, the slope is reduced so that the slope distance is 3 metres, then the effort required is one third of that needed to raise the object vertically.

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