Inclined Planes

and Pulleys

Inclined Plane

• A flat surface that is raised.

• Reduces the amount of force needed to move an object up.

• A simple machine.

Examples of Inclined Planes:• Ramp on a moving truck

• Escalator

• Stairs

• Handicap ramp

• Shorter the ramp has less distance, but more force needed to move the object.

• Longer the ramp has more distance, but needs less force to move the object.

PulleysA simple machine.

A wheel with a groove in it.

A rope/cable goes into the groove.

• Pulleys can:

• Change direction of force

• Change amount of force

• Change direction & amount of force

Fixed Pulley• Stays attached.• Does not change the

amount of force• Only changes the

direction of force.• Easier to push down

than to pull up.

http://www.the-office.com/summerlift/pulleybasics.htm

Moveable Pulley• The mass is attached to the pulley.

• The pulley moves on the rope.

Advantage:

Cuts the amount of force needed to move the mass.

Disadvantage:

You have to pull or push the pulley up or down.

http://www.the-office.com/summerlift/pulleybasics.htm