inclined plane

inclined planePushing a load up a gentle slope requires less effort than lifting it.

inclined plane

n. A plane set at an angle to the horizontal, especially a simple machine used to raise or lower a load by rolling or sliding.

inclined plane

n a plane whose angle to the horizontal is less than a right angle

inclined′ plane′

n. one of the simple machines, a plane surface inclined to the horizon, or forming with a horizontal plane any angle but a right angle. [1700–10]

in·clined plane

(ĭn′klīnd′) A plane surface, such as a ramp, set at an acute angle to a horizontal surface. It is a simple machine because it requires less force to slide or roll a body up the plane than to raise the body vertically. Many tools are based on the principle of the inclined plane, such as the ax, screw, wedge, and chisel.

Thesaurus

Noun

inclined plane - a simple machine for elevating objects; consists of plane surface that makes an acute angle with the horizontalsimple machine, machine - a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other pointramp, incline - an inclined surface connecting two levelsscrew - a simple machine of the inclined-plane type consisting of a spirally threaded cylindrical rod that engages with a similarly threaded holewedge - something solid that is usable as an inclined plane (shaped like a V) that can be pushed between two things to separate them

Translations

plano inclinado

inclined plane

inclined plane,

simple machinemachine,
arrangement of moving and stationary mechanical parts used to perform some useful work or to provide transportation. From a historical perspective, many of the first machines were the result of human efforts to improve war-making capabilities; the term engineer
..... Click the link for more information. , consisting of a sloping surface, whose purpose is to reduce the force that must be applied to raise a load. To raise a body vertically a force must be applied that is equal to the weight of the body, i.e., the product of its mass and the acceleration of gravity. The amount of work done (i.e., energy expended) in raising the body is equal to its weight times the distance through which it is raised. By means of an inclined plane a force smaller than the weight of the body can be exerted over a distance greater than the direct vertical distance, doing work equal to the product of the force and the distance through which it acts. If friction is ignored, the work done using the inclined plane will be exactly equal to the work done in lifting the body directly. In any real system some work is done to overcome friction between the plane and the load. The actual mechanical advantage of an inclined plane is the ratio of the load lifted to the force applied; ideally it is equal to the ratio of the length of the sloping plane to its vertical rise. An inclined plane whose sloping length is 5 m and whose vertical rise is 1 m has a mechanical advantage of 5; a 300-newton load can be moved up such a plane by a 60-newton force. The inclined plane has been modified in many ways. The screw and wedge are applications of the principle of the inclined plane but do not require that the load be moved vertically for their successful operation. The chisel, carpenter's plane, auger bit, and ax are some of the many tools based on this principle. Switchbacks on mountain roads are inclined planes that reduce the effort of an automobile engine but increase the distance a car must travel to ascend the mountain.

inclined plane

[′in‚klīnd ′plān] (mechanics) A plane surface at an angle to some force or reference line.

inclined plane

inclined plane

inclined plane

inclined′ plane′

in·clined plane

inclined plane

inclined plane,

inclined plane

inclined plane

Words related to inclined plane

noun a simple machine for elevating objects

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