A plane is a flat surface. For example, a smooth board is a plane.
Now, if the plane is lying flat on the ground, it isn't likely to help you do work. However, when that plane is inclined,
or slanted, it can help you move objects across distances. And, that's work! A common inclined plane is a ramp. Lifting a
heavy box onto a loading dock is much easier if you slide the box up a ramp--a simple machine.The inclined plane
is a plane surface set at an angle, other than a right angle, against a horizontal surface. The inclined plane permits
one to overcome a large resistance by applying a relatively small force through a longer distance than the load is to be raised.
The inclined plane makes moving heavy objects up into things like trucks a lot easier because by applying just a little bit
of force you can make the object go up, or down the inclined plane.
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