This entry contributed by Dana Romero

One of the fundamental mechanical machines. With an inclined plane, the amount of work done does not change, but force is traded for distance.

The work W done by a force F acting through a distance s is just

and an inclined plane lowers the force needed to move an object vertically by some factor n by increasing the distance over which the new force acts, by the same factor,

where n depends on the angle the plane makes with the horizontal.

The same equation applies to a pulley, where the same movement is attained with a lower force acting through a longer distance.

Particles falling on an inclined plane and starting from the same point form a circular arrangement for each point in time.

Fulcrum, Lever, Pulley, Screw