Incline Planes

This site details how simple machines create a mechanical advantage for humans. Levers, theoretical mechanical advantage, actual mechanical advantage, and pulley systems are discussed.

In this equations worksheet, students practice solving problems using the equation for mechanical advantage. Students complete 2 problems.

In this simple machine worksheet, students explore incline planes and learn how to calculate the mechanical advantage (MA) using forces or distance. This worksheet has 14 matching, 3 fill in the blank, and 6 short answer questions.

Explains the relationship between force and mechanical advantage with diagrams, examples and calculations.

Describes how pulley systems are used in the real world, including the role of the mechanical advantage in selecting the proper pulley system.

Introduction to the mechanical advantage of pulleys and wedges. [10:35]

Outlines the wedge and inclined plane, including their uses in everyday life and their mechanical advantages.

Students describe how inclined plane and pulleys make work easier. In this physics instructional activity, students calculate work done and mechanical advantage of both simple machines. They collect data from the experiment and construct...

Introduction to pulleys and wedges. [10:35]

Sometimes simple machines don't seem so...simple. The video lesson explains the principles of simple machines. Viewers also discover the concept of mechanical advantage and how it affects the forces related to simple machines.