 Inclined plane

An inclined plane is a flat surface tilted through an angle $\theta$ above horizontal. A ramp exchanges a smaller lifting force for a longer travel distance; for a released body, it reduces the downhill component of gravitational weight and makes the resulting acceleration easier to measure. Its simplest dynamical model is a nonrotating block on a stationary, rigid surface, with constant mass $m>0$, uniform gravitational acceleration of magnitude $g>0$, and $0\le \theta <\pi /2$. Assume continued contact, negligible drag force, no tipping, and no applied pull. The only forces are gravitational weight, the normal force, and any tangential friction.

The central distinction is between a block resting on the inclined plane and one already sliding. Static friction supplies the force needed to maintain rest, up to its bound; kinetic friction has a prescribed magnitude in the ideal constant-coefficient model. These laws are empirical approximations whose range depends on the contacting surfaces.^[ref]

An inclined plane is a flat surface that is tilted at an angle to the horizontal. It is one of the simplest types of machines and is used to lift or lower objects with less effort than lifting them straight up. The primary function of an inclined plane is to provide a mechanical advantage by allowing the force to be applied over a greater distance at a reduced angle.