Ramps & Screws

Inclined planes

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Ramp: $\text{MA} = L/h$. Push with less force over a longer distance.
• Screws are ramps wrapped around a cylinder. Wedges are double ramps.
• MA = (distance the effort moves) ÷ (distance the load moves), for ideal machines.

Steps

1. Loading a truck
2. Inclined planes
3. Wheelchair ramp
4. Choose the ramp
5. Less force, same work?
6. Car jack