inclined plane

noun

1. one of the simple machines, a plane surface inclined inclined to the horizon, or forming with a horizontal plane any angle but a right angle. Compare machine ( def 4b ).
2. incline ( def 10a ).

inclined plane

noun

1. a plane whose angle to the horizontal is less than a right angle

inclined plane

/ ĭn′klīnd′ /

1. A plane surface, such as a ramp or a blade, set at an acute angle to a horizontal surface, a direction of motion, or a direction of force. Inclined planes are used to increase the distance over which work is done, reducing the amount of force needed to impart energy to a system. Rolling a car up a hill, for example, requires less force than lifting it straight up off the ground. Many tools, such as the ax, wedge, chisel, and highway ramp, exploit the mechanical properties of the inclined plane.

Word History and Origins

Origin of inclined plane¹

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

The authors released a heap of the seeds down an inclined plane while a camera recorded their descent to analyze their speed and the dynamics of their movement.

From Science Daily

But Galileo saw a deeper truth in the inclined plane experiments.

From Literature

Lift with some danged pulley system involving fulcrums and levers and inclined planes, or, better yet, just hire some dumb lunk.

From Washington Post

His observations of a swinging pendulum, and of balls rolling down inclined planes, are classic examples.

From Scientific American

Some were the remains of an inclined plane, or funicular, which was built where a slope was too steep for the early locomotives to travel up and down safely.

From Washington Times

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