The Inclined Plane

People often must move heavy things. Movers move boxes. Builers move lumber and tools. Drivers move things with their trucks. All that moving is a lot of work!

There are many kinds of machines that help move things. Some are very simple. One simple machine is called an inclined plane.

An inclined plane has a flat surface. It is higher on one end. An inclined plane is used to move things up or down.

Ramps are inclined planes. So is a road or a path that goes up a hill. Did you know that a slide is also an inclined plane?

Which is easier for the boy to do— lift up the box or push the box up the ramp?

If you said push the box up the ramp, you are right. The ramp is an inclined plane, so it helps you do the work.